The aftermath of the unexpected violence continues.
Will Smith won his first Oscar the night he beat Chris Rock. ETIENNE LAURENT
According to the Film Academy, the actor Will Smith was asked to leave the Oscar gala after beating the comedian Chris Rockia, but he refused. The BBC and the Washington Post, among others, are reporting this.
The academy also says it has launched disciplinary proceedings against Smith.
– Mr. Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and he refused, but we also understand that we could have treated the situation differently.
Smith hit Rock at a gala on Sunday after a star joked at his wife Jada Pinkett Smith shaving head due to alopecia associated with hair loss.
The actor, who won his first Oscar ceremony, has since apologized.
Chris Rock briefly commented on the incident while performing at the Wilbur Theater on Wednesday night. He said he was still dealing with the events of the gala.
– How much did your weekend go? Rock asked the audience jokingly.
Shortly afterwards, he added that he did not intend to comment on the case further.
The Film Academy says it will address the case at its meeting on April 18th. It also apologized to Chris Rock, the people who attended the event, and the TV viewers.