The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences released a second statement regarding the controversial Will Smith/Chris Rock slapping incident after they were criticized for a lukewarm initial response.
Video of actor Will Smith slapping comedian Chris Rock over a joke at the Oscars went mega-viral online and inspired countless jokes and memes as well as some very serious takes about what the slap meant about society.
Following the incident, the Academy issued an initial statement that only said that it would not condone any violence, but didn’t specifically cite the incident.
“The Academy does not condone violence of any form. Tonight we are delighted to celebrate our 94th Academy Awards winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their peers and movie lovers around the world.”
CNN then reported that several members of the Academy on a teleconference meeting Monday morning criticized the statement for being too lukewarm.
That led to a second statement which specifically condemned Smith’s actions:
“The Academy condemns the actions of Mr. 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.”
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, Rock declined to press charges against Smith, who went on to win the Oscar award for best actor and apologized to the Academy during an emotional and tearful speech.
Some pushed for Smith to lose his award over a rule by the Academy against violence, but at least one member of the Academy’s board of governors disagreed.
“We’re not going to take that Oscar from him. There will be consequences, I’m sure,” said Whoopi Goldberg on “The View” Monday.
Sources reportedly claim that the joke made at the expense of Will Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, was not originally part of rehearsals in Chris Rock’s routine prior to the show.
