LAPD, The Academy Release Statements on Will Smith Slap Incident

A night of laughs and celebration was derailed when Will Smith stormed onto the Dolby Theatre stage to slap nominee presenter and comedian Chris Rock across the face and then proceeded to throw threatening f-bombs at him for making a G.I. Jane joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. (The 90s military action drama featured Demi Moore with a shaved head.)

Chris Rock was able to keep his composure, his smile, and keep the show going to announce the nominees and the winner for Best Documentary Feature. But the slap sent the internet abuzz as viewers waited for some sort of acknowledgment that they really saw Will Smith disrupt the global broadcast of the 94th Oscars. Smith was then seen being comforted or confronted by several actors including Denzel Washington, Bradley Cooper, and Tyler Perry. Later that night, Will went on to win the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Richard Willaims in the Serena Williams/Venus Williams biopic King Richard. In his acceptance speech, back on stage, he appeared to double down on his decision to assault Chris Rock rather than apologize.

Read More: Video: Will Smith Assaults Chris Rock at the 94th Oscars

Later that night, statements were released from both the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Los Angeles Police Department.

The Academy tweeted in part,

“The Academy does not condone violence of any form.” 

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.

— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 28, 2022

According to Variety, the LAPD released a statement that Chris Rock declined to submit a police report. But they will continue to monitor the situation.

They said:

“LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program. The incident involved one individual slapping another. The individual involved has declined to file a police report. If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report.”

Disney fans will remember Will Smith as the actor who portrayed the Genie in the live-action remake of Aladdin. He is also the host of National Geographic’s Disney+ series, Welcome to Earth. 

Related: ‘West Side Story’s Rachel Zegler References Her Invitation Snub During the Oscars

As Will Smith said, a person can do crazy things, and Oscars history has proved that. But there were also some light, happy moments on that Sunday night, including Wanda Sykes, Amy Schumer, and Regina Hall hosting, Disney’s Encanto winning the award for Best Animated Feature, and the live performance of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s song, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.”