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Will Smith news - live: ‘Heartbroken’ actor’s resignation from the Academy accepted by organisation

Best Actor winner resigns from Motion Picture Academy, saying list of those harmed by Oscars slap is “long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones”

Peony Hirwani
Sunday 03 April 2022 08:28 BST
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Will Smith punches Chris Rock at the Oscars

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Nearly a week after Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars, Hollywood is still abuzz with activity, as celebrities weigh in on the incident, while a “formal review” of the incident began at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Now they’ve got something new to talk about: the King Richard star has resigned from the Academy, which puts on the Oscars.

“The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home,” Smith said in a statement. “I betrayed the trust of the Academy. I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. I am heartbroken.”

It’s the latest sign of friction between the Hollywood heavyweight and the film group.

Smith was reportedly asked to leave the Oscars after breaking the Academy’s code of conduct, but he refused.

Though Mr Rock has declined to press charges against Mr Smith, on Wednesday, during the sold-out Boston show of his Ego Death tour, Rock finally addressed the altercation and said he was “still processing.”

“I’m still processing what happened, so at some point I’ll talk about that s***,” the comedian also said on stage, adding, “It’ll be serious. It’ll be funny, but right now I’m going to tell some jokes.”

You can follow all the developments about the “slap that was heard around the world” in our live blog below...

Before the Will Smith/Chris Rock drama unfolded, the Oscars ceremony was already quite an eventful night.

Here’s a handful of stories from earlier on in the evening you might have missed

Ellie Harrison28 March 2022 09:47

Here’s Will Smith’s tearful acceptance speech once again

Will Smith breaks down in tears during Oscars acceptance speech
Ellie Harrison28 March 2022 10:07

Bernardine Evaristo, the author of the Booker Prize-winning novel Girl, Woman, Other, has tweeted about Will Smith slapping Chris Rock, condemning his choice to “resort to violence instead of utilising the power of words”

Ellie Harrison28 March 2022 10:09

Jimmy Kimmel has been weighing in on the Will Smith/Chris Rock saga

The late night host discussed the astonishing moment in a podcast that aired after the ceremony. Read what he had to say here...

Jimmy Kimmel praises Oscars hosts amid ‘unpleasantness’ after Will Smith incident

Kimmel also discussed the shocking moment in a podcast aired after the ceremony, revealing he initially thought the moment was staged

Ellie Harrison28 March 2022 10:35

Where was Bob Saget in the ‘In Memoriam’ tributes?

Many Oscars viewers were upset that the Full House star, who died in January, didn’t get a mention

Oscars viewers saddened as Bob Saget not featured in ‘In Memoriam’ tributes

‘So, uh, Bob Saget doesn’t get included in the In Memoriam?’ one fan commented

Ellie Harrison28 March 2022 11:00

Will Smith dances at Oscars after party

Will Smith was filmed dancing to his own hit “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It” after hitting Chris Rock

Will Smith filmed dancing to his own music at Oscars party after hitting Chris Rock

‘Will Smith holding court at the Vanity Fair party, dancing to his hits,’ one attendee tweeted

Ellie Harrison28 March 2022 11:14

Here’s a recap of the biggest talking points of the night...

The 6 biggest talking points from this year’s dramatic Oscars ceremony

A night in which unscripted controversy overshadowed all the wins and awards

Ellie Harrison28 March 2022 11:40

Celebrities have been divided over The Slap. Here are Tiffany Haddish’s thoughts on the moment that has defined the 2022 Oscars

Tiffany Haddish says Will Smith’s slap was ‘the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen’

“When I saw a Black man stand up for his wife. That meant so much to me,” Haddish said

Ellie Harrison28 March 2022 12:23

There’s been a lot of discourse about Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars – but what was the joke about Jada Pinkett Smith that upset him so much?

Read the full story here.

What was the joke Chris Rock made about Will Smith’s wife Jada?

Comedian looked visibly shocked as Smith told him to ‘keep my wife’s name out your f***ing mouth’ after the altercation

Ellie Harrison28 March 2022 12:52

Following CODA’s surprise win for Best Picture, the team earned a rather unexpected congratulations message from Emmanuel Macron.

The French president tweeted his delight at the film, a remake of the 2014 French movie La Famille Bélier, winning the biggest prize of the night.

“The film Coda, [an] adaptation of The Bélier family, won the Oscar for best film in Hollywood!” he wrote (translated by Deadline).

“A big congratulations to its producers, French, and to the teams who make it a success abroad. With this film, they look at disability and the experience of caregivers.”

Isobel Lewis28 March 2022 13:15

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