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It appears the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences is standing behind its statement that Will Smith was “asked to leave the ceremony and refused” after the actor slapped presenter Chris Rock, a source tells Fox News.
A source at the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences told Fox News that the Academy also looks forward to the April 18 meeting when disciplinary actions may be taken. The source added that they believe the “King Richard” star did violate the Academy’s Standards of Conduct.
Reports swirled on Thursday claiming that the actor wasn’t directly asked to leave and that it was instead “suggested.”
The Academy stands behind their statement that Will Smith “was asked to leave and refused” following the events that unfolded on Sunday night.
(iStock/Getty)
Deadline reported that Academy President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson spoke with Smith’s rep, running the idea by her that Smith should leave Sunday night’s ceremony, before he was awarded the Oscar for best actor.
CHRIS ROCK SHOWS SOLD OUT FOR TWO MONTHS AFTER WILL SMITH’S OSCARS SLAP
The rep then reportedly approached Smith with that statement, to which he replied, “I want to make this right, I want to stay and apologize.”
The Academy’s statement on Wednesday read in part: “The Board of Governors today initiated disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Smith for violations of the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, including inappropriate physical contact, abusive or threatening behavior, and compromising the integrity of the Academy.”
Smith publicly apologized to Rock via Instagram on Monday.
(Foto AP/Chris Pizzello)
The statement noted that the actor will receive a 15-day notice regarding “his violations and sanctions” as well as the “opportunity to be heard beforehand by means of a written response.”
The next meeting is set for April 18.
“Mr. Smith’s actions at the 94th Oscars were a deeply shocking, traumatic event to witness in-person and on television,” the statement continued. “Mr. Rock, we apologize to you for what you experienced on our stage and thank you for your resilience in that moment. We also apologize to our nominees, guests and viewers for what transpired during what should have been a celebratory event.”
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“Things unfolded in a way we could not have anticipated. While we would like to clarify that Mr. Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused, we also recognize we could have handled the situation differently,” it concluded.
Rock’s upcoming comedy tour has sold out all shows for the next two months.
(Will Heath/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
On Wednesday night, Rock was greeted with a three-minute-long standing ovation before his first comedy show, which was in Boston, since the slap.
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The comedian first addressed the crowd by joking, “How was your weekend?”
“I had a whole list of jokes. I had a whole show I wrote before this weekend, and I’m still kind of processing what happened,” he added.
“At some point I’ll talk about that s—, and it will be serious, and it will be funny,” Rock continued.
Smith took to Instagram on Monday night to publicly apologize to Rock, but has been silent since.
Reps for the Academy and Smith did not immediately respond to Fox News’ request for comment.
