Will Smith resigns from the Academy after Chris Rock assault

Actor Will Smith has resigned from the Academy Awards after assaulting comedian Chris Rock on stage, during the North American Film Awards.

“I am resigning from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and will accept any other consequences the board deems appropriate,” the actor wrote in a statement carried by several US news sites.

“I have responded immediately to the notice of the Academy’s disciplinary hearing and will fully accept any consequences for my conduct. My actions … were appalling, distressing and unforgivable,” Will Smith said in the statement.

“The list of people I’ve hurt is long and includes Chris [Rock]His family, many of my friends and loved ones, and all of the audience and global audience are at home.”

In the statement, Will Smith also said he had betrayed the “Academy’s trust” and therefore submitted his resignation.

He stressed that “(…) change takes time and I am committed to doing what is necessary to ensure that violence is never again allowed to take precedence over reason.”

Will Smith also lamented that he had denied “the nominees and other winners their opportunity to celebrate and celebrate their exceptional work.”

“I feel sad. I want to refocus on those who deserve attention for their achievements and allow the Academy to return to the wonderful work it is doing to support creativity and art in cinema.”

The American Film Academy, which is responsible for organizing the Academy Awards, has condemned actor Will Smith’s assault on comedian Chris Rock during the awards ceremony, and revealed that it will analyze the case and draw out the consequences.

On Tuesday, Will Smith publicly apologized to Chris Rock, admitting he went overboard and his behavior was “unacceptable and unforgivable”.