The Hollywood Academy will make a “formal review” of the slap of Will Smith at the Oscars

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences launched this Monday a formal review of what happened at the Oscar gala, when the actor Will Smith you slapped comedian Chris Rock at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.

Smith hit Rock after he made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair loss, leaving the audience in awe.

“The Academy condemns Mr. Smith’s actions at last night’s event,” the Academy said in a statement sent to AFP. “We have officially initiated a formal review of the incident and will review further actions and consequences consistent with our statutes of conduct and California law.”

Yesterday, the Academy condemned the violent act on its Twitter account.

The scandal was sparked by a joke by Chris Rock about the shaved head of Jada Pinkett, the wife of Will Smith, who suffers from alopecia, the medical name for severe hair loss. Smith walked onto the stage and slapped him. “Keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth!” he yelled at her twice after returning to his seat.

Stunned expressions from celebrities at the Dolby Theater including Nicole Kidman and Lupita Nyong’o went viral on social media, as did criticism of Smith’s behavior.

While presenting the Hollywood Academy Award for Best Documentary, Rock turned to Smith’s wife and launched the phrase: “Jada, I love you, ‘GI Jane 2’, I can’t wait to see it.” Will Smith’s reaction immediately came.

Smith, who took the stage shortly after to receive his Oscar for best actor, apologized in a lengthy speech to the Hollywood Academy but not to Rock. Without making direct mention of the blow dealt, he justified himself in tears by saying that “sometimes love makes you do crazy things.” He also questioned “those who disrespect.”

After the incident, Will Smith was comforted by Denzel Washington and other actors after he slapped Chris Rock.

The fact has received criticism and praise from actors and other celebrities. (AND)