Will Smith Resigns from The Academy

So, if you’ve been following us all week, we’ve been covering the recent drama involving Will Smith slapping Chris Rock in the face live, during the 94th Academy Awards. And as The Academy of Motion Picture, Arts, and Sciences was starting disciplinary action against Smith, it now looks like the King Richard actor has voluntarily resigned from membership, before any disciplinary action was taken, per a statement he wrote, which you can read below:

“I have directly responded to the Academy’s disciplinary hearing notice, and I will fully accept any and all consequences for my conduct. My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable. 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.

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. 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.

So, I am resigning from membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and will accept any further consequences the Board deems appropriate. Change takes time and I am committed to doing the work to ensure that I never again allow violence to overtake reason.”

More developments will surely come soon, but Smith’s decision to resign from Academy voting privileges may have an impact on how The Academy will respond to the event with further consequences. Resigning from membership does not mean he can no longer be invited to attend future Oscars, or be nominated again, but he is just no longer able to vote on the nominated films. We’re just going to have to see how it plays out with The Academy’s disciplinary hearing.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter