It didn’t drop until after 4 PM PT, but Will Smith formally apologized to Chris Rock following their altercation during the 2022 Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday evening. His Instagram statement came after both the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced it was conducting a formal review of the incident and SAG-AFTRA, which also honored Smith at the SAG Awards earlier this month, condemned his actions describing them as “unacceptable.”
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Smith’s statement is as follows:
“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.
I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.
I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologize to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family. I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us.
I am a work in progress.
Sincerely,
Will”
After an emergency meeting this morning, The Academy released a statement noting, “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.”
The Academy will likely let Smith keep his Best Actor winning Oscar for “King Richard,” but he may be suspended from attending events, voting in future Oscars, or, at worse, kicked out of the organization. More should be revealed after the Board of Governors holds a meeting later this week. If the tea leaves seem to suggest a serious sanction from AMPAS, it would not surprise us if Smith resigns beforehand to save face.
Frankly, Smith may be more concerned about his union. SAG-AFTRA went much further, remarking, “As the union representing presenters and other performers working on the Oscars, SAG-AFTRA is focused on ensuring our members always work in a safe environment. Violence or physical abuse in the workplace is never appropriate and the union condemns any such conduct. The incident involving Will Smith and Chris Rock at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable. We have been in contact with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and ABC about this incident and will work to ensure this behavior is appropriately addressed. SAG-AFTRA does not comment on any pending member disciplinary process.”
The fact SAG-AFTRA is considering a disciplinary has to be eye-brow raising to everyone in Smith’s camp and it is likely no coincidence his public statement was released immediately after.
From a business perspective, beyond any “stain” on the Oscar ceremony, Smith’s actions have seriously put a dent in Apple TV+’s plans for Antoine Fuqua’s upcoming thriller “Emancipation.” The $120 million period piece tells the true story of Gordon, or “Whipped Peter,” a slave who escaped to the North and whose scarred back became a rallying cry for the abolitionist movement. It was considered one of Apple TV+’s best chances to earn another Best Picture nomination after taking home the trophy with “CODA” this year. Smith is also an active producer on the project.
Beyond his role as executive producer and promotional voice for Peacock’s “Bel-Air” TV series, it’s unclear what other project Smith was planning on moving forward next.