The Academy has admitted that its handling of the infamous Will Smith “slapgate” on the 2022 Oscars was “inadequate.”
The organization, which votes on nominees, winners, and hosts of the annual ceremony, said Monday that it’ll be “fully transparent” in the longer term.
On the organization’s luncheon hosted for this yr’s Oscar nominees, Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences president Janet Yang spoke about last yr’s disastrous event.
“I’m sure you all remember we experienced an unprecedented event on the Oscars,” she said, in response to Variety.
“What happened onstage was fully unacceptable and the response from our organization was inadequate.”
“We learned from this that the Academy have to be fully transparent and accountable in our actions, and particularly in times of crisis it’s essential to act swiftly, compassionately, and decisively for ourselves and for our industry,” she continued.
“It’s best to and might expect no less from us going forward.”
During last yr’s Oscar Awards live broadcast, Smith walked onto the stage and struck Rock across the face after the funnyman made a joke in regards to the actor’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
Rock compared Pinkett Smith — who suffers from alopecia and shaved her head last summer — to Demi Moore’s bald character “G.I. Jane,” prompting the slap from Smith.
“Keep my wife’s name out of your f–king mouth!” Smith then shouted — twice — after returning to his seat.
Lower than an hour after, Smith won the Best Actor Oscar for his role in “King Richard,” and even received a standing ovation from the audience.
The “Fresh Prince” star seemingly partied and not using a care on the planet on the Vanity Fair afterparty that night, but the implications that followed weren’t so glamorous.
Smith has resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences following the uproar about his actions. He has also been banned from any academy events for the subsequent 10 years.
The 2023 Academy Awards happen on March 12.
