Hollywood star Will Smith has resigned from the Academy for breaking the lead code at Oscars. The actor has resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to avoid being suspended after he attacked comedian Chris Rock during the last Oscars broadcast.
The move comes as the actor is entangled in the gravest emergency of his career and as the organization behind the Academy Awards has battled in its endeavors to manage the aftermath from the squabble, according to reports.
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In a statement, Smith called his actions “shocking, painful and inexcusable” and said that he will acknowledge any unexpected outcomes that the Academy’s Board of Governors considers fitting.
“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 additionally recognized that his actions eclipsed 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”.
Meanwhile, Academy president David Rubin answered to his abdication, saying in a statement:
“We have received and accepted Will Smith’s immediate resignation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. We will continue to move forward with our disciplinary proceedings against Smith for violations of the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, in advance of our next scheduled board meeting on April 18.”
During the function, Smith walked to the stage and struck Rock during the transmission after Rock poked a fun at the actor’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, comparing her shaved head to the buzzcut wore by Demi Moore in ‘G.I. Jane’. Pinkett Smith is experiences balding because of alopecia.
The Academy later said it requested that Smith leave the event and he rejected.
In an emotional speech, Smith seemed to try to justify his actions by saying that his outburst was the result of the same protective instincts that led his character in the film, Richard Williams, to push his daughters, Venus and Serena Williams, to succeed in the world of tennis.
His speech, initial failure to apologise to Rock and his decision to attend the Vanity Fair party following the awards did not sit well with some members of the Academy.
