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”
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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...
And we’ve already launched into a White Men Can’t Jump reunion between Wesley Snipes, Rosie Perez and Woody Harrelson. Nostalgia!
And we’re back, and they’re now editing the pre-recorded Best Documentary Short category into the live show, cutting director Ben Proudfoot’s speech to about 25 seconds.
“Growing up in Australia, I never thought I’d be here,” says Best Visual Effects presenter Jacob Elordi.
“And I never thought I’d be here six days ago,” replies West Side Story star and famously invitation-snubbed Rachel Zegler. “Dreams really do come true!”
That was cute.
And it’s another Dune victory, with the film winning Best Visual Effects.
Ooh, some booing as one of the Dune special effects team gets cut off by music. He then returns to say thanks, to cheers from the crowd. Good for him!
Hans Zimmer took home the Oscar for Best Score for Dune earlier tonight, but wasn’t in LA to collect it himself.
Instead he’s tucked up in bed in Amsterdam. Good for him!
In other news, hacking down awards speeches in favour of Tony Hawk, Shaun White and Kelly Slater presenting a montage of James Bond clips was certainly a choice.
If anyone missed Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes referencing Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill earlier...
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