Lagatar24 Desk
Mumbai, March 29: After Will Smith smacked Chris Rock at the 94th Annual Academy Awards, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences declared that a thorough investigation would be launched.
“The Academy condemns the actions of Smith at last night’s show. 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,” the Academy said in a statement.
Following the #MeToo movement, the group, which has over 10,000 members from all aspects of the film industry, developed a new code of conduct in 2017. Members who “abuse their status, authority, or influence in a manner that violates standards of decency” are not welcome, according to the rules. The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences is also “categorically opposed to any kind of abuse, harassment, or discrimination,” according to the policy.
When Rock entered the stage to give the best documentary award on Sunday, the ceremony took a different direction. He made a joke about alopecia sufferer Jada Pinkett Smith joining the cast of G.I. Jane 2. Smith stormed the stage and smacked the comedian in the face with an open palm. “Keep my wife’s name out of your mouth!” he yelled as he returned to his seat next to his 50-year-old wife.
However, during his acceptance speech, Smith expressed regret to the Academy and his fellow best actor nominees.
