Tag: Will Smith

Categories
National Headlines

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.”

TheGrio is now on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post Will Smith refused to leave Oscars after Chris Rock incident, Academy says appeared first on TheGrio.

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

Categories
National Headlines

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.”

TheGrio is now on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today!

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

Categories
National Headlines

Tickets for Chris Rock tour skyrocket after Oscars slap

Rock’s ‘Ego Death World Tour’ has seen an increase in sales on the secondary ticket market since he was hit by Will Smith at the Academy Awards on Sunday.

Chris Rock’s current comedy tour has seen an uptick in ticket sales after the viral slap heard ’round the world. The Grammy-winning stand-up comedian is launching his Ego Death World Tour on March 30.

TickPick, a secondary ticket-selling forum confirmed that more people are buying tickets to Rock’s concerts, with a big increase since Sunday. “We sold more tickets to see Chris Rock overnight than we did in the past month combined,” TickPick posted on Twitter.

We sold more tickets to see Chris Rock overnight than we did in the past month combined.

— TickPick (@TickPick) March 28, 2022

The increased demand for the tickets comes in the immediate aftermath of Rock being attacked by Smith during the live telecast of the 2022 Academy Awards.

Rock, 57, made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith who now sports a low haircut due to alopecia. Pinkett Smith has spoken publicly about her bout with alopecia, a condition that causes hair loss.

Getty Images

“Jada, I love ya. G.I. Jane 2, can’t wait to see ya,” Rock said, referencing the 1997 film G.I. Jane, in which star Demi Moore’s character shaved her head while in the military.

Smith, 53, then approached Rock on the stage and slapped him across the face. He returned to his seat and commenced to repeatedly yell at Rock, “Keep my wife’s name out you f—– mouth!”

Later in the evening, Smith won the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Serena and Venus Williams’ father, Richard Williams, in King Richard. He addressed his actions during his acceptance speech, saying, “I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things.”

Smith issued a public apology to Rock on Monday via his Instagram page. “I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris,” Smith wrote. “I was out of line and I was wrong. I’m 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.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chris Rock (@chrisrock)

Rock’s Ego Death World Tour begins in Boston, Massachusetts, this week and lasts until November.

In July, he will team up with Kevin Hart for five Only Headliners Allowed dates on the East Coast.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chris Rock (@chrisrock)

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post Tickets for Chris Rock tour skyrocket after Oscars slap appeared first on TheGrio.

Source: Tickets for Chris Rock tour skyrocket after Oscars slap

Categories
National Headlines

Charlamagne Tha God, Alesha Reneé Tapped as Hosts for 2022 AAFCA Awards

The Breakfast Club radio co-host Charlamagne Tha God and actress and TV personality Alesha Reneé will be serving as hosts for this year’s African American Film Critic’s Association (AAFCA) Awards.

As , winners of the 13th annual celebration were announced last month but the ceremony itself was postponed until early March in light of the Omicron surge happening at the time.

“The pandemic, with its various variants, has been a difficult time for us all, which is another reason why we so look forward to congregating safely at the beautiful SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills March 2 to celebrate the strong content and performances with diversity and inclusion as its core that have helped us through,” explained AAFCA president and CEP Gil Robertson per . “As AAFCA preps for our 20-year-anniversary in 2023, with many surprise announcements planned along the way, we could not be more pleased to launch that highly anticipated yearlong celebration with our signature AAFCA Awards.”

Of the hosts, Robertson further added: “AAFCA is thrilled to have Charlamagne host the 13th edition of the AAFCA Awards. We look forward to him sharing his unique perspective on pop culture throughout the evening. We are also happy to welcome the multitalented Alesha Reneé who we know will add her own sparkle to the evening.”

Shortly following the announcement, Charlamagne and Alesha both took to social media to extend their gratitude and express their excitement.

“I look forward to bringing some laugh and deep love of our culture to the stage as we salute some of the industries best,” she wrote online.

Added Charlamagne in a statement, “It is a privilege and an honor to be hosting this year’s AAFCA Awards, an award show for us, by us. I look forward to this celebration of Blackness.”

Winners of the 2022 AAFCA Awards, include: Jeymes Samuel, The Harder They Fall, King Richard, Jennifer Hudson, Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis, Corey Hawkins and more.

Source: Charlamagne Tha God, Alesha Reneé Tapped as Hosts for 2022 AAFCA Awards

Categories
National Headlines

Will Smith open to run for president ‘at some point down the line’

Could the A-list actor be moving into the Oval Office someday? Perhaps.

When it comes to the court of public opinion, it often feels like Will Smith can do no wrong. So perhaps it should come as no surprise that the Hollywood heavy-hitter could see himself running for president someday.

Monday, while promoting his new Netflix series, Amend: The Fight for America, the actor appeared on an episode of the Pod Save America podcast and admitted he wasn’t opposed to running for political office.

“I think for now I’ll let that office get cleaned up a little bit and then I’ll consider that at some point down the line,” Smith told host Jon Favreau on the broadcast.

READ MORE: Trump, Melania were quietly vaccinated before leaving the White House

Smith also clarified that whether he remains in Hollywood or pivots to politics, he’ll always find a way to use his elevated platform to speak truth into power and advocate for what he believes in.

“I don’t know, it’s like, I absolutely have an opinion. I’m optimistic. I’m hopeful,” he said. “I believe in understanding between people and I believe in the possibility of harmony. So, I will certainly do my part, whether it remains artistic or at some point ventures into the political arena.”

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 04: Actor Will Smith attends the Global Press Conference in support of GEMINI MAN at the YouTube Space LA on October 4, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)

Recently, PEOPLE magazine noted that the 52-year-old has been hinting at political aspirations for over two decades.

“That might sound foolish to some,” he told the NY Daily News in 1999 via Variety, “But, in my mind, if Ronald Reagan can become President, then why not Will Smith?”

16 years later in 2015, Smith said on CBS Sunday Morning that the hateful rhetoric that became normalized during the presidential race between Donald Trump and the former secretary of state Hillary Clinton made him revisit the idea of following in the footsteps of other charismatic actors who became politicians.

“If people keep saying all the crazy kinds of stuff they’ve been saying on the news lately about walls and Muslims, they’re going to force me into the political arena,” he told correspondent Tracy Smith at the time.

He then admitted that local politics wouldn’t be enough, exclaiming, “I mean, I gotta be the president. Come on! What else would I run for?”

READ MORE: Jay-Z’s cannabis line launches social justice awareness campaign

Smith isn’t the only blockbuster leading man eyeing the White House. Last month while speaking with USA Today to promote his new comedy series Young Rock, which is based on his early life, Dwayne Johnson addressed social media rumors that he was open to becoming our commander-in-chief.

Dwayne Johnson The Rock thegrio.com(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

“I would consider a presidential run in the future if that’s what the people wanted. Truly I mean that, and I’m not flippant in any way with my answer,” said the former WWE star and father of three. “That would be up to the people. … So I would wait, and I would listen. I would have my finger on the pulse, my ear to the ground.”

Like Smith, this also isn’t the first that we’ve heard these rumors about the 48-year-old leading man.

Back in 2017, when Trump was beginning his term, Johnson confessed to GQ, “I’d like to see a greater leadership. When there’s a disagreement, and you have a large group of people that you’re in a disagreement with — for example, the media — I feel like it informs me that I could be better.”

Have you subscribed to theGrio’s podcast “Dear Culture”? Download our newest episodes now!

TheGrio is now on Apple TV, Amazon Fire, and Roku. Download theGrio today!

The post Will Smith open to run for president ‘at some point down the line’ appeared first on TheGrio.

Source: Will Smith open to run for president ‘at some point down the line’