The Academy Brings Forward Meeting To Discuss Possible Sanctions For Will Smith
Topics: Celebrity, Will Smith
Eve Edmunds
Featured Image Credit: ABC
Topics: Celebrity, Will Smith
The drama of the Will Smith slap continues as the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPS) has announced that they will bring forward their annual meeting by 10 days so they can discuss potential sanctions for the Fresh Prince actor.
Originally due to take place on 18th April, the meeting will instead be held at 9am (PT) on 8th April.
This decision, which was announced on Wednesday, comes as Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars after comedian Chris made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's appearance. Will has since released an official statement on his Instagram apologising to Chris.
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The hearing will decide whether there will be any repercussions for Will, who picked up the best actor Oscar for his role in King Richard, just half an hour after the uncomfortable incident.
David Rubin, president of AMPS, wrote a letter to the Board of Governors saying: "The April 18 date was set in accordance with California law and our Standards of Conduct because our agenda included 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."
However, last Friday, five days after the Oscars slap, Will officially resigned from the Academy, meaning he no longer has a membership to the Oscars awards body.
In his resignation, Will said: "I am resigning from membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and will accept any further consequences the Board deems appropriate."
This perhaps meant there was no need for the longer wait as "suspension or expulsion are no longer a possibility and the legally prescribed timetable no longer applies".
It's uncertain, as of yet, what actions the Academy might take.
The controversial moment at the 94th Academy Awards saw Will, 53, walk onto the stage and slap Chris, 57, after he made a G.I. Jane joke due to Jada having a shaved head.
Jada has been open about her struggle with alopecia, and so it seems the joke struck a nerve with her actor husband.
In Will's emotional acceptance speech later in the evening, he said: "I want to apologise to the academy. I want to apologise to all my fellow nominees."
He finished the speech by saying: "Thank you. I hope the academy invites me back."
Whether they will invite him back, we will have to wait and see!