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...
In hindsight, the Moonlight/La La Land snafu had the good fortune of happening at the very end of an Oscar ceremony. Everything that happened here has completely overshadowed the rest of the show. Including what could very well be Will Smith’s own Best Actor acceptance speech at some point in the next 30 minutes.
Bradley Cooper has been seen speaking with and hugging Will Smith in the Dolby Theatre after his altercation with Chris Rock...
Elsewhere, in a show that truly needs to reach its end, Billie Eilish has just won her first Oscar for Best Original Song for “No Time to Die”.
Pre-Billie Eilish win, both Denzel Washington and Tyler Perry were also seen speaking to Will Smith in the minutes after his altercation with Chris Rock...
I’m sure this very long speech by Kevin Costner has been lovely but my mind remains elsewhere.
He was introducing Best Director, by the way, with the Oscar going to...
Jane Campion for The Power of the Dog!
This is a great, deserved win for one of our greatest filmmakers. Now no Williams sisters jokes, please!
Campion is reading from a very prepared speech printed out on a bit of paper, which is truly a relief. This is also the first time two women have won Best Director Oscars two years in a row, following Nomadland’s Chloe Zhao in 2021.
*Also stream In the Cut!
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