The Academy of Oscars announced on Monday that it had opened an “investigation” into the incident which occurred the day before at the gala evening, during which actor Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock on stage after a hair joke. ras of his wife Jada Pinkett Smith.
“The Academy condemns the actions of Mr. Smith during last night’s show,” the organization wrote in a statement sent to AFP.
“We have officially started an investigation into this incident,” said the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which will examine the follow-up to be given to the case under its “regulations and California law”.
It’s a Chris Rock joke about the shaved head of Jada Pinkett Smith, the wife of 2022 Best Actor Oscar winner Will Smith, that the latter wouldn’t have liked at all.
His wife is suffering from alopecia, which explains the fact that she shaves her head.
Will Smith then went on stage and put his hand in the face of the comedian who tried to play down the incident. “Will Smith has just slapped me back” then launched Chris Rock.
What happened between Will Smith and Chris Rock there? #Oscars pic.twitter.com/lYznPBZyd0
— CANAL+ (@canalplus) March 28, 2022
“Leave my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth!” the 53-year-old actor said twice, once back in his chair.
Several American actors and directors have also called on the organization of the Oscars to take sanctions against Will Smith for his gesture.