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...
The biggest talking points of the night
With the Will Smith incident, this was the most dramatic Oscars night since the La La Land/Moonlight mix-up in 2017.
But let’s not forget, there were also some winners too...
Read all the biggest talking points here.
The 6 biggest talking points from this year’s dramatic Oscars ceremony
A night in which unscripted controversy overshadowed all the wins and awards
How the stars have reacted to The Slap
A tweet from Judd Apatow saying Will Smith “could have killed” Chris Rock has already drawn criticism. And 50 Cent and Kathy Griffin are among the other celebrities who have been posting about the incident...
Judd Apatow and Kathy Griffin among stars condemning Will Smith Oscars hit
Director Judd Apatow deleted a tweet that received criticism after he claimed Smith ‘could have killed’ Rock
Jada Pinkett Smith’s eye roll
Everyone is talking about Will Smith hitting Chris Rock over the joke he made about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. But how did the actor and Red Table Talk host react herself?
How Jada Pinkett Smith reacted to Chris Rock’s joke about her at the Oscars
The ‘Red Table Talk’ host did not look pleased
Why this year’s Oscars was a tasteless mess
Clarisse Loughrey’s appraisal on the most dramatic night in Oscars history has landed.
‘This year’s Oscars ceremony was a tasteless mess’
After one of the most dramatic Oscars ceremonies in recent memory, Clarisse Loughrey asks whether this was the ‘viral moment’ the Academy Awards were after, and questions whether organisers have lost all basic respect for the films they claim to honour
While this year’s Oscars will be remembered for a clash between Will Smith and Chris Rock, the ceremony had some much more tender exchanges.
For example, Lady Gaga has been praised for a touching moment she shared with Liza Minnelli...
Lady Gaga praised for touching moment with Liza Minnelli at the Oscars
‘Real moment of the night was Lady Gaga showing absolute kindness, advocacy, and support for Liza Minnelli,’ one fan wrote
Who was the biggest winner of the night?
Here’s our rundown on the winners in each category of the most dramatic Oscars in history
Underdog Coda emerges big winner at action-packed Oscars ceremony
Jane Campion’s western ‘The Power of the Dog’ was among the frontrunners at the Oscars this year
Judd Apatow’s Will Smith tweet causes backlash
OK. Here we go. The reactions to the reactions to The Slap have begun.
Judd Apatow sparks backlash for commenting on Will Smith hitting Chris Rock
‘That was 100 per cent the greatest overreaction of all time,’ wrote one person of the director’s response
Lots of people have been asking if Will Smith will have to give his Best Actor Oscar back after the altercation with Chris Rock. The Independent has contacted the Academy for comment on this.
In the meantime, many of his fans are very happy he took home the award.
Philadelphian politician Brendan Boyle is one of the many, many Twitter users who has made a Fresh Prince of Bel-Air joke after Will Smith smacked Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars.
Will Smith has addressed the Chris Rock altercation on his Instagram
After Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage over a joke the comedian made about his wife Jada, Smith wrote on Instagram: “You can’t invite people from Philly or Baltimore nowhere!!”
Read the full story here
Will Smith addresses Chris Rock Oscars drama on Instagram
Actor was seen striking the comedian on stage after Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife, fellow actor Jada Pinkett Smith
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