Will Smith Resigns from the Oscars Academy

Will Smith has resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Friday Less than a week after he won the Oscar for the best actor at the 94th Academy Awards. 

The actor faced heavy criticism after he slapped Chris Rock at the ceremony on Sunday night after he made a joke about Mr Smith’s wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith. He also received the award for the best actor for his performance in “King Richard.”

In a statement, he called his behaviour at the 94th Academy Awards “shocking, painful and inexcusable” and said, “I am heartbroken.” He also said, “The list of those I’ve hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my friends and loved ones, all those in attendance and global audiences at home.”

Will Smith apologised for his actions in his Oscars acceptance speech and later apologised to Chris Rock in an Instagram post as well. 

The academy held an emergency meeting to decide what repercussions Mr Smith has to face for his outburst, which included the possibility of suspending or revoking his membership at the academy. Will Smith, now an ex-member of the academy, can not vote for the future Oscars anymore. 

The president of the academy, David Rubin has issued a statement in response to Mr Smith’s resignation. He said, “We have received and accepted Mr Smith’s immediate resignation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.” 

“We will continue to move forward with our disciplinary proceedings against Mr Smith for violation of the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, in advance of our next scheduled board meeting on April 8,” he said.