Oscars organisers condemn actions of Will Smith as it launches review

Will Smith’s assault on Chris Rock at the Oscars has been condemned by the event’s organisers as it said it has launched a formal review.

It comes after Smith stormed onstage to confront Rock over a joke he made about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

Following the altercation, the actor went on to win the best actor award for his portrayal as the father of Venus and Serena Williams in the biopic, ‘King Richard’.

Chris Rock made fun of Jada and Will Smith got on stage to slap him and cursed him from his seat after. Live feed stopped on Astro because. Not scripted. Audience stunned. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/F5dN4prPfY
— 𝗔𝘆𝘀𝗵𝗮 𝗥𝗶𝗱𝘇𝘂𝗮𝗻 (@ayshardzn) March 28, 2022

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said it “condemned” the actions of Smith at the event, which was held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday evening.

In a statement to media on Monday, the film academy said: “The Academy condemns the actions of Mr Smith at last night’s show.

“We have officially started a formal review around the incident and will explore further action and consequences in accordance with our bylaws, standards of conduct and California law.”