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Will Smith refused to leave Oscars after Chris Rock incident, Academy says

Many have questioned why Smith was allowed to remain seated front row at the Academy Awards

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences said that Will Smith was asked to leave to Sunday’s Oscars after hitting Chris Rock but refused.

Many have questioned why Smith was allowed to remain seated front row at the Academy Awards after the incident. On Wednesday, the academy suggested that it attempted to remove the actor from the audience.

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. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)

“Things unfolded in a way we could not have anticipated,” the academy said. “While we would like to clarify that Mr. Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused, we also recognize we could have handled the situation differently.”

The academy’s board of governors met Wednesday to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Smith for violations against the group’s standards of conduct. The academy said Smith has the opportunity to defend himself in a written response before the board meets again on April 18. The academy said disciplinary action for Smith could include suspension, expulsion or other sanctions.

The film academy earlier condemned Smith’s onstage assault of Rock. But it used stronger language Wednesday.

Chris Rock and Will Smith onstage during the show at the 94th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 27, 2022. (Myung Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

“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.”

On Monday, Smith issued an apology to Rock, the academy and to viewers, saying “I was out of line and I was wrong.”

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Tony Rock denies that Chris Rock, Will Smith have reconciled after Oscars slap

The comedian’s brother also denied that the slap was staged

Chris Rock has not yet spoken publicly about Will Smith slapping him at the Academy Awards on Sunday, but the comedian’s brother has reacted to the controversy.

Tony Rock condemned the incident in a series of tweets on Tuesday telling his followers that Chris is “fine” after the assault. He also rejected Smith’s apology.

Chris Rock and Will Smith at the 94th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 27, 2022. (Myung Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

During the 94th annual Academy Awards ceremony, Rock roasted Jada Pinkett Smith’s bald head when he joked, “Jada, I love you! G.I. Jane 2, I can’t wait to see it.”

As reported by theGrio, the joke did not go over well with Jada, 50 and her husband Smith, 53, as the actress has previously spoken about her hair loss due to alopecia. The couple appeared at the ceremony for Smith’s Best Actor nomination for his performance as Richard Williams in King Richard.

BET's Social Awards 2018 - ShowTony Rock (L) and King Keraun at BET’s Social Awards 2018 at Tyler Perry Studio on Feb. 11, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs said Chris and Smith settled their differences at an Oscars after-party, but Rock claims that didn’t happen. In fact, he says the Rock family is still waiting for Smith to reach out to Chris directly to discuss the incident.

A friend of Diddy’s clarified that the music mogul spoke to both men separately after the debacle but neither of them spoke to one another.

“He went up to them both privately to have a few words,” a source told PEOPLE. “Chris was in shock and Diddy tried to give him encouraging words, and then he went over to Will at his seat.”

No https://t.co/NZ3VAKLAKu

— Tony Rock (@TONYROCK) March 30, 2022

Rock slammed the notion that the slap was staged. When one Twitter user asked if he plans on being respectful when he responds to Smith directly, or “fight fire with fire,” Rock said, “It’s on, bro.”

After answering about 20 questions as is his Tuesday night habit, Rock concluded with, “Be sure to watch Good Hair since the narrative is now changed to all my bro does is disrespect women of color.”

Several Twitter users reacted to this message by noting the numerous moments that Chris has disparaged Black women and Black people in general.

The veteran comedian declined to press charges against Smith. It’s likely he will address the slap during his stand-up show at Boston’s Wilbur Theater on Wednesday night as part of his Ego Death World Tour.

Smith, meanwhile, apologized to Chris in an Instagram post on Monday, theGrio previously reported.

“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable,” Smith wrote. “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,” he continued. “There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.”

Pinkett Smith also shared her thoughts on the incident on Tuesday in a post that read, “This is a season for healing and I’m here for it.”

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The post Tony Rock denies that Chris Rock, Will Smith have reconciled after Oscars slap appeared first on TheGrio.

Source: Tony Rock denies that Chris Rock, Will Smith have reconciled after Oscars slap