Academy says Will Smith was 'asked to leave' Oscars but refused


After slapping comedian Chris Rock on live television, Will Smith allegedly refused to leave the Oscars.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Wednesday that its board of governors has initiated disciplinary proceedings against Smith after he slapped Rock during Sunday's Oscars over a joke about his wife, Variety reports. The group said Smith is being investigated over violations of its standards of conduct, "including inappropriate physical contact, abusive or threatening behavior, and compromising the integrity of the Academy."
In the days since the ceremony, the Academy has faced questions about why Smith was not removed from the event and still allowed to accept his award for Best Actor. The Academy now says it would "like to clarify that Mr. Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused." But the group also acknowledged that "we could have handled the situation differently." It was unclear who asked Smith to leave.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Academy says it "may take any disciplinary action" against Smith, "which may include suspension, expulsion, or other sanctions," at its next board meeting on April 18, and he is being given the opportunity to offer a written response.
"Mr. Smith's actions at the 94th Oscars were a deeply shocking, traumatic event to witness in-person and on television," the Academy said. "Mr. Rock, we apologize to you for what you experienced on our stage and thank you for your resilience in that moment. We also apologize to our nominees, guests, and viewers for what transpired during what should have been a celebratory event."
Oscars co-host Wanda Sykes previously criticized the Academy for not removing Smith from the Oscars after he slapped Rock. "For them to let him stay in that room and enjoy the rest of the show and accept his award, I was like, 'How gross is this?'" Sykes said on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. "'This is just the wrong message.'"
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Today's political cartoons - May 3, 2025
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - measles on the rise, sage advice, and more
-
5 shellshocked cartoons about Trump's first 100 days
Cartoons Artists take on a wild ride, F.D.R., and more
-
Kashmir: on the brink of a 'catastrophic' war
Talking Point Relations between India and Pakistan are 'cratering' in the aftermath of a shocking terror attack in the disputed border region
-
And the Oscar goes to … no one in particular: Movies made with AI can now win awards
Under the radar Generative AI is no longer a barrier to acclaim
-
Shakespeare not an absent spouse, study proposes
speed read A letter fragment suggests that the Shakespeares lived together all along, says scholar Matthew Steggle
-
Oscars 2025: Anora’s Cinderella triumph
Feature The film about a stripper who elopes with the son of a Russian oligarch takes home four Oscars
-
The best body horror movies of the last half-century
The Week Recommends If 'The Substance' piqued your interest, these other films will likely be your speed
-
Why Japanese residents can't watch their country's Oscar-nominated #MeToo documentary
THE EXPLAINER Shiori Ito became one of the faces of Japan's #MeToo movement
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wife
speed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
-
I'm Still Here: 'superb' drama explores Brazil's military dictatorship
The Week Recommends Fernanda Torres delivers 'phenomenal' performance as mother whose life is shattered by violence in the Oscar-nominated drama
-
2025 Oscars: voters, record-breakers and precedent-setters
The explainer A walk through Academy Awards history, both past and present