Academy To Take 'Appropriate Action' Over Will Smith's Oscar Slap

Attendees at the ceremony watched Sunday as Will Smith stormed onstage and hit Rock, who had cracked a joke about his actress wife’s closely cropped hairstyle
He subsequently apologized to Rock in an Instagram post, but the Academy remains under pressure to censure him

EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences has pledged to take “appropriate action” over Will Smith’s shocking assault of Chris Rock at the Oscars ceremony, amid reports that its board of governors would meet Wednesday.

The group is under pressure to do something in response to the slap, which was seen by millions around the world, overshadowing Hollywood’s most important night of the year.

In a letter sent to Academy members, the leadership of the body that awards the Oscars said it was “upset and outraged” over the incident.

“Sunday’s telecast of the 94th Oscars was meant to be a celebration of the many individuals in our community who did incredible work this past year,” said the letter, signed by President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson.

“We are upset and outraged that those moments were overshadowed by the unacceptable and harmful behavior on stage by a nominee.”

Attendees at the ceremony watched Sunday as Will Smith stormed onstage and hit Rock, who had cracked a joke about his actress wife’s closely cropped hairstyle.

Smith subsequently apologized to Rock in an Instagram post, but the Academy remains under pressure to censure him.

“To be clear, we condemn Mr. Smith’s actions that transpired Sunday night,” the letter to members said.

“As outlined in our bylaws, the Academy’s Board of Governors will now make a determination on appropriate action for Mr. Smith.

“As governed by California law regarding members of nonprofit organizations like the Academy, and set forth in our Standards of Conduct, this must follow an official process that will take a few weeks.”

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