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”
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
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...
Before the Will Smith/Chris Rock drama unfolded, the Oscars ceremony was already quite an eventful night.
Here’s a handful of stories from earlier on in the evening you might have missed
Here’s Will Smith’s tearful acceptance speech once again
Bernardine Evaristo, the author of the Booker Prize-winning novel Girl, Woman, Other, has tweeted about Will Smith slapping Chris Rock, condemning his choice to “resort to violence instead of utilising the power of words”
Jimmy Kimmel has been weighing in on the Will Smith/Chris Rock saga
The late night host discussed the astonishing moment in a podcast that aired after the ceremony. Read what he had to say here...
Jimmy Kimmel praises Oscars hosts amid ‘unpleasantness’ after Will Smith incident
Kimmel also discussed the shocking moment in a podcast aired after the ceremony, revealing he initially thought the moment was staged
Where was Bob Saget in the ‘In Memoriam’ tributes?
Many Oscars viewers were upset that the Full House star, who died in January, didn’t get a mention
Oscars viewers saddened as Bob Saget not featured in ‘In Memoriam’ tributes
‘So, uh, Bob Saget doesn’t get included in the In Memoriam?’ one fan commented
Will Smith dances at Oscars after party
Will Smith was filmed dancing to his own hit “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It” after hitting Chris Rock
Will Smith filmed dancing to his own music at Oscars party after hitting Chris Rock
‘Will Smith holding court at the Vanity Fair party, dancing to his hits,’ one attendee tweeted
Here’s a recap of the biggest talking points of the night...
The 6 biggest talking points from this year’s dramatic Oscars ceremony
A night in which unscripted controversy overshadowed all the wins and awards
Celebrities have been divided over The Slap. Here are Tiffany Haddish’s thoughts on the moment that has defined the 2022 Oscars
Tiffany Haddish says Will Smith’s slap was ‘the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen’
“When I saw a Black man stand up for his wife. That meant so much to me,” Haddish said
There’s been a lot of discourse about Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars – but what was the joke about Jada Pinkett Smith that upset him so much?
Read the full story here.
What was the joke Chris Rock made about Will Smith’s wife Jada?
Comedian looked visibly shocked as Smith told him to ‘keep my wife’s name out your f***ing mouth’ after the altercation
Following CODA’s surprise win for Best Picture, the team earned a rather unexpected congratulations message from Emmanuel Macron.
The French president tweeted his delight at the film, a remake of the 2014 French movie La Famille Bélier, winning the biggest prize of the night.
“The film Coda, [an] adaptation of The Bélier family, won the Oscar for best film in Hollywood!” he wrote (translated by Deadline).
“A big congratulations to its producers, French, and to the teams who make it a success abroad. With this film, they look at disability and the experience of caregivers.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments