Review Launched As Oscars Condemn Will Smith Slapping Incident

The Academy Awards has announced that it is launching a review after Will Smith struck Chris Rock during last night’s awards ceremony.

Previously, the Academy released only a short statement following the conclusion of the ceremony, stating that they did “not condone violence in any form.”

Now, in a new statement shared by Deadline, the Academy has said that it “condemns” Smith’s actions and was seeking to determine if they warranted further “consequences”.

“The Academy condemns the actions of Mr Smith at last night’s show,” it stated. “We have officially started a formal review around the incident and will explore further action and consequences in accordance with our Bylaws, Standards of Conduct and California law.”

Among the potential consequences for violating the Academy’s code include suspension or expulsion from the organisation, public or private reprimand, loss of privileges such as attendance at events, and loss of eligibility to receive or hold awards.

The code specifies that the Academy is “opposed to any form of abuse, harassment, or discrimination”. This includes “physical contact that is uninvited and, in the situation, inappropriate and unwelcome”, as well as “intimidation, stalking, abusive or threatening behaviour, or bullying.”

Though the review has just been launched and its findings yet to be considered, Academy Governor Whoopi Goldberg said that it was very unlikely that Will Smith would lose his Best Actor award from last night’s ceremony.

WILL SMITH ASSAULTS CHRIS ROCK OVER JOKE: History was made at Sunday's Academy Awards, but #TheView co-hosts weigh in on the altercation everyone is talking about and discuss if it overshadowed the moments that should have been celebrated. https://t.co/Ah9MDZwvCD #Oscars pic.twitter.com/kNMoxwHKeh

— The View (@TheView) March 28, 2022

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“I get it, not everybody acts the way we would like them to act under pressure. And he snapped.” She added, “We’re not going to take that Oscar from him.”

“There will be consequences I’m sure, but I don’t think that’s what they’re going to do, particularly because Chris said ‘Listen, I’m not pressing any charges.’”

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