Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

Will Smith news - live: ‘Heartbroken’ actor’s resignation from the Academy accepted by organisation

Best Actor winner resigns from Motion Picture Academy, saying list of those harmed by Oscars slap is “long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones”

Peony Hirwani
Sunday 03 April 2022 03:28 EDT
Comments
Will Smith punches Chris Rock at the Oscars

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Nearly a week after Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars, Hollywood is still abuzz with activity, as celebrities weigh in on the incident, while a “formal review” of the incident began at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Now they’ve got something new to talk about: the King Richard star has resigned from the Academy, which puts on the Oscars.

“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,” Smith said in a statement. “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.”

It’s the latest sign of friction between the Hollywood heavyweight and the film group.

Smith was reportedly asked to leave the Oscars after breaking the Academy’s code of conduct, but he refused.

Though Mr Rock has declined to press charges against Mr Smith, on Wednesday, during the sold-out Boston show of his Ego Death tour, Rock finally addressed the altercation and said he was “still processing.”

“I’m still processing what happened, so at some point I’ll talk about that s***,” the comedian also said on stage, adding, “It’ll be serious. It’ll be funny, but right now I’m going to tell some jokes.”

You can follow all the developments about the “slap that was heard around the world” in our live blog below...

Next up, Best International Film!

Adam White28 March 2022 02:31

And the Oscar for Best International Film goes to... Drive My Car!

‘Drive My Car’
‘Drive My Car’
Adam White28 March 2022 02:31

Oof, the speech by Drive My Car director Ryusuke Hamaguchi is nearly cut off after around 20 seconds until he talked over the cue. Good for him!

Adam White28 March 2022 02:33

“We’d like to have a moment of silence to show our support for the people of Ukraine,” a screen reads, as the Dolby Theatre is plunged into silence.

Compared to some of Amy Schumer’s ideas about acknowledging Ukraine, this was a strong, classy move.

Adam White28 March 2022 02:38

And the Oscar for Best Costume Design goes to Jenny Beavan for Cruella...

(Disney)
Adam White28 March 2022 02:45

Did you happen to spot Wanda Sykes’ Harvey Weinstein joke earlier? Read about it here.

Adam White28 March 2022 02:48

Very mixed responses to that, ahem, interesting interpretation of ‘We Don’t Talk About Bruno’ from Encanto.

Adam White28 March 2022 02:57

A slightly unasked-for 15th anniversary tribute to Juno there, but it at least reunites stars Elliot Page, Jennifer Garner and JK Simmons to introduce Best Original Screenplay...

Adam White28 March 2022 03:00

And the winner for Best Original Screenplay is... Kenneth Branagh for Belfast! D’oh.

Jamie Dornan and Caitríona Balfe in ‘Belfast'
Jamie Dornan and Caitríona Balfe in ‘Belfast' (Rob Youngson/Focus Features)
Adam White28 March 2022 03:00

“This is an enormous honour to my family,” Branagh says in his acceptance speech. “This story is the search for joy and hope in the face of violence.”

Adam White28 March 2022 03:02

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in