‘Betrayed their trust’ Will Smith resigns from Academy after slapping Chris Rock at Oscars

Will Smith has issued a statement following his resignation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences after he smacked Chris Rock at the 94th Academy Awards. The star explained via his representatives that he accepts full responsibility for his actions.

He added that his actions were “inexcusable” and that he felt he had betrayed the trust of many, including Chris.

In a statement issued yesterday, he said: “I have directly responded to the academy’s disciplinary hearing notice, and I will fully accept all consequences for my conduct.

“My actions at the 94th Academy Awards 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.”

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He said: “We will continue to move forward with our disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Smith for violations of the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, in advance of our next scheduled board meeting on April 18.”

The scandal arose when Chris Rock made a joke at the 2022 Oscars about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head.

The actress, 50, has previously made clear that she suffers from alopecia, which causes hair loss.

Will stormed the stage and struck Chris as a result of the joke.