New Delhi: The Academy of Motion Pictures and Arts had asked actor Will Smith to leave the Oscars ceremony after his assault of comedian and host Chris Rock.
But he refused, the Academy said in a statement.
The Academy also noted that it could have “handled the situation differently”.
The statement read: “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.”
The Academy, the parent body of the Oscar awards, has given Smith time to respond to an imminent vote that would decide punishment for him.
The statement read: “The Board of Governors today initiated disciplinary proceedings against Mr Will Smith for violations of the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, including inappropriate physical contact, abusive or threatening behaviour, and compromising the integrity of the Academy.
“Mr Smith is being provided at least 15 days’ notice of a vote regarding his violations and sanctions, and the opportunity to be heard beforehand by means of a written response.
“At the next board meeting on April 18, the Academy may take any disciplinary action, which may include suspension, expulsion, or other sanctions permitted by the Bylaws and Standards of Conduct.”
Audiences around the world watched agape as Will Smith strode on the Oscars stage Sunday evening and smacked host Rock with an open-handed slap for cracking a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s closely-cropped coiffeur.
Rock, who was to announce winners for best documentary feature award, had said Jada could star in the sequel to ‘G.I. Jane’ – a movie in which actor Demi Moore sported a buzz cut.
Jada has alopecia, an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss.
While Rock was visibly stunned, he managed to carry on the show.
Half an hour later, Smith received the Best Actor’s Award, and tearfully said: “Love will make you do crazy things.”
A day later, Will Smith Will Smith publicly apologised to Chris Rock after the Academy condemned his actions and launched a formal review into the incident.
The Hollywood star posted a statement on Instagram and admitted that his behaviour on Sunday night was “unacceptable and inexcusable”.
In his statement, Smith said violence is “poisonous and destructive” and he was wrong in his behaviour.
“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behaviour at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.
“I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness,” the 53-year-old actor wrote.
The Academy has also apologized to Rock for the “deeply shocking, traumatic event”.
“Mr Rock, we apologize to you for what you experienced on our stage and thank you for your resilience in that moment,” the Academy said.
The Academy has previously kicked out producer Harvey Weinstein – in 2017 – after reports emerged of his long history of sexual abuse.
Director Roman Polanski was expelled in 2019 over controversy of his rape of an underaged girl in 1978.
But none of the men were asked to return the gold statuette.
Also read: Chris Rock ‘still processing’ Will Smith’s slap at the Oscars