Academy says response to Will Smiths Oscar slap was inadequate

Academy says response to Will Smith’s Oscar slap was ‘inadequate’

Entertainment

February 14, 2023 | 3:26 a.m

The President said Will Smith’s slap was totally unacceptable and the organization’s response was inadequate.” AFP via Getty Images

The academy has admitted its handling of the infamous ‘Slapgate’ Will Smith at the 2022 Oscars was ‘inappropriate’.

The organization, which votes on nominees, winners and hosts of the annual ceremony, said Monday it would be “completely transparent” going forward.

At the organization’s luncheon for this year’s Oscar nominees, Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences President Janet Yang spoke about last year’s cataclysmic event.

“I’m sure you all remember that we witnessed an unprecedented event at the Oscars,” she said, according to Variety.

“What happened on stage was totally unacceptable and the response from our organization was inadequate.”

“We learned from this that the Academy must be fully transparent and accountable in what it does, and particularly in times of crisis, you must act quickly, compassionately and decisively on behalf of us and our industry,” she continued.

Will Smith accepts the award for Best Actor, Leading Role for ‘King Richard’ during the 94th Annual Academy Awards. AFP via Getty Images

“You shouldn’t and can’t expect less from us in the future.”

During last year’s live broadcast of the Academy Awards, Smith took the stage and slapped Rock in the face after the prankster made a joke about the actor’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

Rock compared Pinkett Smith – who suffers from alopecia and shaved her head last summer – to Demi Moore’s bald character “GI Jane”, which led to Smith’s slap in the face.

“Keep my wife’s name out of your damn mouth!” Smith then yelled – twice – after returning to his seat.

Janet Yang said the academy learned they need to be “completely transparent and accountable” in times of crisis. Getty Images

Less than an hour later, Smith won the Best Actor Oscar for his role in King Richard and even received a standing ovation from the audience.

The “Fresh Prince” star appeared to be partying lightheartedly at the Vanity Fair afterparty that night, but the episodes that followed weren’t so glamorous.

Smith has resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences following uproar over his actions. He was also barred from all Academy events for the next 10 years.

The 2023 Oscars will take place on March 12th.

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