The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences’ Board of Governors has decided to meet this Friday (April 8th) in order to discuss what actions and/or consequences should be taken against Will Smith for slapping Chris Rock during the Oscars. That meeting was originally scheduled for April 18th but was rescheduled after the surprising turn of Will Smith opting to resign from The Academy this week. The fallout of the “Slap Heard ‘Round the World” has been ongoing as the public continues to debate what happened between Smith and Rock – and what should be done about it.
I am calling a board meeting for this Friday morning, April 8, at 9:00 a.m. PT, rather than the previously scheduled April 18 meeting, to address possible sanctions for Will Smith in response to his actions during the Oscars broadcast on March 27.
The April 18 date was set in accordance with California law and our Standards of Conduct because our agenda included the possible suspension or expulsion of Mr. Smith from membership. We were required to provide Mr. Smith notice 15 days prior to the board meeting at which such action might be taken, and also give him the opportunity to provide the board a written statement no less than five days prior to that meeting.
Following Mr. Smith’s resignation of his Academy membership on Friday, April 1, suspension or expulsion are no longer a possibility, and the legally prescribed timetable no longer applies.
It is in the best interest of all involved for this to be handled in a timely fashion.
