March 30, 2022
Slap Fallout: Academy 'Upset' at Will Smith Amid Chris Rock's Return to the Stage
READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Today is shaping up as an important one in the ongoing controversy over the Will Smith - Chris Rock Oscar slap.
CNN has obtained a letter from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences that told members its leaders are "upset and outraged" by�Will Smith's behavior�during the Oscars. The letter came hours before the Academy's Board of Governors holds its annual post-Oscar assessment meeting, which is to be held this evening.
The letter from Academy President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson says the group is working on a "determination" of the "appropriate action" for Smith, which could "take a few weeks."
They write: "To be clear, we condemn Mr. Smith's actions that transpired Sunday night.
"As outlined in our bylaws, the Academy's Board of Governors will now make a determination on appropriate action for Mr. Smith. As governed by California law regarding members of nonprofit organizations like the Academy, and set forth in our Standards of Conduct, this must follow an official process that will take a few weeks."
The Daily Mail adds that "Smith faces a range of outcomes, including�forcing him to hand back his Oscar to the most severe punishment - suspension from the Academy - which would put Smith among the ranks of Harvey Weinstein and Bill Cosby, who were both expelled for sexual misconduct."�
Meanwhile all media eyes are on Boston's Wilbur Theatre where Rock makes his first appearance since the incident with his "Ego Death World Tour 2022." Overnight, what few tickets are available for the comedian's six-show stint have skyrocketed. (While sold out, tickets are available through third-party vendors.) "Tickets on Stubhub are listed between $125 and $399. On Vividseats, tickets are listed between $244 and $1,150. And on TickPick, tickets are listed between $307 and $1,463," writes the Daily Mail.
When announcing the tour in February, Rock said on his Instagram: "Ego Death World Tour 2022 all new material introspective very personal and very funny. Can't wait to show you."
