The Academy put out a tweet about the Will Smith slapping Chris Rock during the live broadcast of Oscars 2022 ceremony on Sunday.
Hours after Will Smith's video of slapping Chris Rock went viral on social media, The Academy has reacted to the entire episode that has shaken the fans. The official handle of the Academy Awards took to the microblogging site Twitter to post about its stand on what happened between Smith and Rock during the live broadcast of the show.
In a tweet, The Academy wrote: “The Academy does not condone violence of any form. Tonight we are delighted to celebrate our 94th Academy Awards winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their peers and movie lovers around the world (sic).”
The Academy does not condone violence of any form.
Tonight we are delighted to celebrate our 94th Academy Awards winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their peers and movie lovers around the world.
While hosting the Oscars 2022, Chris Rock had cracked a joke on Will Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith which clearly didn’t go well with the King Richard actor. Smith walked up to the stage, swing it to Rock on his face and then walked off to get back at his seat in the audience, followed by a verbal spat.
ALSO READ: Oscars 2022: 'King Richard' Will Smith punches Chris Rock, later apologises
However, later when Will Smith won the Best Actor award for King Richard, he delivered an emotional and tearful speech where he apologised to the Academy and his fellow nominees for the episode.
Meanwhile, social media users have a spilt in two camps over this episode with some even taking a dig on The Academy. There were many who called out The Academy for not asking Will Smith to leave the ceremony midway after his altercation.
ALSO READ: Oscars 2022: Hearing impaired Troy Kostur receives standing ovation in sign language
One of the users highlighted how Chris Rock’s joke was distasteful and should have been called out by The Academy as well. “so you also condone chris rock’s action right? He was joking about a WOMAN WHO HAS A DISEASE will smith was right (sic),” wrote on the users.
You can check some more reactions of social media users here:
so you also condone chris rock’s action right? he was joking about a WOMAN WHO HAS A DISEASE
will smith was right.
so you also condone chris rock’s action right? he was joking about a WOMAN WHO HAS A DISEASE
will smith was right.
How freaking gross that was allowed to happen, should have been asked to leave and he shouldn't be asked to come back. The Oscar's is one of my favorite nights, and now I don't think i will ever watch this program again. So disappointing
— TheDoge ⭕ 🇺🇲🇺🇦🇲🇽 (@TheDoge_Pack)
Something about this tweet feels Racist pic.twitter.com/LULDYbSvqT
— Big Boobs (@LaughsInOnika)
So when are you publicly denouncing Kevin Spacey, Roman Polanski, Woody Allen, Marlon Brando, Harvey Weinstein and removing their Oscars?
Interesting how you're so quick to pronounce when the "perpetrator" is Black & acting AGAINST patriarchal hate, instead of contributing to it
You condoned it.
You allowed Will Smith to sit there and then gave a major award which he accepted with a bizarre speech attempting to excuse his assault.
the academy when sexual abuse:
the academy when will smith: https://t.co/PMvP2ztZK4 pic.twitter.com/NIPcN8ulZc
Chris Rock making a joke about a person's health issue was pretty disgusting. I don't condone violence but would like us to focus on the fact that mocking disabled or chronically ill people for things they can't control is a wild violation of good taste and decency.
— A. H. (@a_h_reaume)