Will Smith Resigns From Academy After Oscars Incident

After the shocking incident regarding Will Smith slapping Grammys host Chris Rock, Smith has resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Smith’s outburst of emotion originated from Rock making a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s bald head. Smith actually suffers from alopecia, an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss.

After his resignation, Smith had written a statement regarding his actions: “My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful and inexcusable…I betrayed the trust of the Academy.”

Smith also took to Instagram to apologize for his actions and personally addresses and apologizes to Chris Rock: “Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive… I personally apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and wrong… I am a work in progress.”

Once the resignation was received, the Academy commented on their next steps: “We have received and accepted Mr. 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 Mr. Smith for violations of the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, in advance of our next scheduled board meeting on April 18.”

Even after his resignation, Will Smith will still be able to keep his Oscar award and further nominations for future awards are still up to the Academy.