Oscars 2022: Will Smith refused to be kicked out

Will Smith is said to have been asked to leave the event after he slapped Chris Rock at the Academy Awards. He refused and a short time later accepted his Oscar.

Will Smith ignored the sacking

The Academy began investigating Will Smith’s disciplinary action a few days ago. He stormed the stage in a fit of rage and gave Comedian Rock a good slap in the face after he made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head. A new statement from the Academy shows that Smith was expelled from the awards ceremony shortly afterwards, but did not comply with the request.

Academy admits mistakes

“Mr. Smith’s behavior at the 94th Academy Awards was deeply shocking and traumatic to witness, both in person and on television,” it said. After an apology to Chris Rock – who is thanked for his “staying in this moment” – to guests, viewers and nominees, the Academy said things had “turned out in a way we could not have foreseen”. It then clarifies, “Although Mr. Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and resisted, we recognize that we could have handled the situation differently.”

yelling backstage

Academy President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson met with Smith’s representatives backstage to communicate the expulsion, according to TMZ. During the negotiations there would have been “heated” talks and “shouting”.

While the investigations that cost Smith the Oscar, but could also have other undefined consequences, are still ongoing, there have been various statements about the case. Will Smith himself made his way to a public apology to Chris Rock via Instagram. Jim Carrey’s angry speech at Hollywood’s reaction, as well as Alec Baldwin’s comment on the incident, were also widely reported in the media. On Wednesday (March 30), Chris Rock also commented for the first time after the attack that ticket sales for his stand-up show in the coming month had skyrocketed since the turbulent Oscar night.

+++ This article first appeared on rollingstone.de +++

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