Will Smith resigns from the Academy

GingerPeach · ‎03-12-2010

from Variety:

Will Smith Resigns From Academy Over Chris Rock Oscars Slap BacklashWill Smith,

facing possible expulsion or suspension after he assaulted Chris Rockduring last Sunday’s Oscars telecast, has instead resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. The move comes as the actor is embroiled in the gravest crisis of his career and as the organization behind the Academy Awards has struggled in its attempts to deal with the fallout from the altercation. In a statement, Smith called his actions “shocking, painful and inexcusable” and said that he will accept any additional consequences that the Academy’s Board of Governors deems appropriate.

“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. “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.”

Smith also acknowledged that his actions overshadowed other winners at the 94th Academy Awards.

“I want to put the focus back on those who deserve attention for their achievements and allow the Academy to get back to the incredible work it does to support creativity and artistry in film,” he stated, concluding with “change takes time and I am committed to doing the work to ensure that I never again allow violence to overtake reason.”

During the ceremony, Smith charged the stage and struck Rock during the broadcast after Rock made a joke about the actor’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, likening her shaved head to the buzzcut sported by Demi Moore in “G.I. Jane.” Pinkett Smith suffers from hair loss due to alopecia.

The Academy later said it asked Smith to leave the ceremony and he refused. However, sources tell Variety that the organization’s leaders never formally requested he be ejected and producer Will Packer urged him to stay. During an appearance on GMA on Friday, Packer said that he said Smith should stay at the request of Rock — something Rock’s camp has denied.

It’s a very tangled narrative about what exactly went down behind the scenes.

[was Homegirl] Love to be home . . . thus the screen name. Joined 2003.

Goldengate8361 · ‎01-27-2014

FYI ...There is another thread on this just be!ow......

tansy · ‎01-02-2011

Good!

GingerPeach · ‎03-12-2010

@Goldengate8361 wrote:
FYI ...There is another thread on this just be!ow......

@Goldengate8361

where?

[was Homegirl] Love to be home . . . thus the screen name. Joined 2003.

KingstonsMom · ‎03-09-2010

@GingerPeach

Here:

Will Smith Resigns From The Academy - Blogs & Forums (qvc.com)

You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.

MarnieRez3 · ‎02-19-2015

@GingerPeach
This was clearly written by a very good PR crisis management team. Clearly, Will Smith resigning is better than being kicked out of the Academy, which is what they were expected to do.
Now, in the matter of the gold statue...give it back, Will Smith. You don't deserve to be honored with an Oscar.

shoekitty · ‎03-10-2010

Wow. This whole thing is surreal. Basically, when he resigns he just can no longer vote. Or be submitted for acting award consideration, but he has his award. He could attend Oscar's unless the Academy bans him for a while or forever, it can be pretty painful, as the awards, and parties are huge. I am not sure if he would be banned from most parties, as most are private parties.