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Arts and Entertainment

Read Will Smith's Statement Resigning From the Academy. 'The List Of Those I Have Hurt Is Long'

By  John Horn
Published Apr 1, 2022 4:37 PM
Will Smith, on stage and dressed in a black tuxedo, wipes his eyes with one hand, his head down and his other hand dangling by his side, loosely holding a golden Oscar trophy.
US actor Will Smith accepts the award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for "King Richard" onstage during the 94th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 27, 2022.
(Robyn Beck
/
AFP via Getty Images)
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The following statement was released late Friday afternoon by a publicist for Will Smith, who assaulted Chris Rock onstage at the Oscars prior to winning the best actor Academy Award Sunday night:

"I have directly responded to the Academy’s disciplinary hearing notice, and I will fully accept any and all consequences for my conduct. My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable. The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home. I betrayed the trust of the Academy. I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. I am heartbroken. I want to put the focus back on those who deserve attention for their achievements and allow the Academy to get back to the incredible work it does to support creativity and artistry in film. So, I am resigning from membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and will accept any further consequences the Board deems appropriate.

Change takes time and I am committed to doing the work to ensure that I never again allow violence to overtake reason."

His resignation comes as the events of that evening came into sharper focus this week.

A quick timeline:

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Sunday: Oscar Ceremony

  • Chris Rock tells a joke comparing Jada Pinkett Smith's close-cropped hair — a result of a medical condition called alopecia — to the 1997 film G.I Jane, which starred Demi Moore. Will Smith initially laughs, Pinkett Smith seem visibly irritated.
  • Smith walks onto the stage and strikes Rock in the face open-handed. He returns to his seat and yells at Rock to keep his wife's name out of his mouth. U.S. viewers do not hear this exchange live because Smith uses a profanity twice and the audio is muted, but uncensored audio from overseas broadcasts spreads rapidly on social media.
Four images show Will Smith approaching Chris Rock, his open hand after the slap, the follow through and Rock's reaction.
Will Smith approaches Chris Rock onstage at the Oscars and assaults him.
(Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images
/
AFP)

  • Smith remains in his seat and receives a standing ovation when he gives his acceptance speech for best actor for his role in King Richard. In the speech, he apologizes to the Academy but pointedly not to Rock. The cameras cut away from Smith several times while he talks.

Monday

  • Smith, via his official Instagram, issues a public apology to Rock.

Tuesday

  • Smith talks by Zoom with both David Rubin, the Academy's president, and Dawn Hudson, the CEO, before the Academy governors meet.

Wednesday

  • The Academy issues a statement apologizing to Rock and saying they asked Smith to leave the ceremony.

Thursday

  • Reports contradict the Academy's claim that Smith was asked to leave.
  • We talked to two senior people with knowledge of the timeline. Here's a summary of their accounts:
Smith's publicist, Meredith O’Sullivan Wasson, was asked by Rubin and Hudson to ask Smith to consider leaving. At the same time of that request, Will Packer, who was producing the show, said he “officially” told Smith he didn’t have to leave. One of the sources said it was highly likely Smith would be ejected from the Academy.

  • Rock appears at a comedy show in Boston but says only he is still processing what happened.

Friday

  • Smith resigns from the Academy.
What questions do you have about film, TV, music, or arts and entertainment?
John Horn covers the business of entertainment, examining what's next for Hollywood post pandemic.

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