Will Smith resigns from the Academy over the Oscars slap controversy

Will Smith has resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, citing his ‘shocking, painful, and inexcusable’ slapping of presenter Chris Rock on stage at this year's Oscars ceremony.

In a statement, the actor said he betrayed the Academy's trust and deprived other nominees and winners the chance to enjoy and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. So, he is resigning from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and that he will accept any further repercussions imposed by the Board.

During the Oscars ceremony (on Sunday, March 27), when Chris Rock made a joke about Will Smith's wife's ‘bald’ appearance, the latter strode up to the stage and hit Rock across the face in front of the whole audience, who were totally stunned after that.

Rock's joke regarding Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, was inspired by Demi Moore's shaved head in the 1997 film ‘G.I. Jane.’ However, it stands unclear if Rock was aware that Jada Pinkett Smith has a condition called alopecia, which causes hair loss.

On Friday (April 1), the Film Academy's President David Rubin said that the organisation has accepted Smith's resignation but would continue with disciplinary proceedings that might lead to further sanctions.

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