Oscars 2022: Could Will Smith have to give back his Academy Award? What consequences mean for previous winners
In the aftermath of the slap seen around the world, some are raising questions around whether or not Will Smith's Best Actor Oscar for King Richard is in jeopardy.
On The View Monday morning, the co-hosts discussed the now infamous incident, with Academy Award winner, and previous Oscars host Whoopi Goldberg, predicting that Smith's award isn't in jeopardy.
"We're not going to take that Oscar from him," Goldberg said, after the question was posed by co-host Sunny Hostin. "There will be consequences I'm sure, but I don't think that that's what they'll be, particularly because Chris said, listen I'm not pressing any charges."
"Not everybody acts the way we would like them to under pressure, some people just snap, he snapped. What I do want to say is I think it's remarkable and wonderful that Chris Rock did not take it to that other place it could have gone."
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
Some have brought into question whether Smith is in violation of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences' code of conduct, which states that members must uphold the "values of respect for human dignity, inclusion and a supportive environment that fosters creativity."
It also mentions that the Academy is "categorically opposed to any form of abuse, harassment or discrimination."
The code of conduct was updated in 2017 as Harvey Weinstein was expelled from the Academy.
“I think Will would not want to give his Oscar back, but who knows what will happen now,” the New York Post cites an anonymous Hollywood source saying Sunday night.
According to an exclusive report from The Hollywood Reporter, the Academy's board of governors are having an "emergency phone call" about thee Smith-Rock incident, which could result in a suspension for Smith, but the outlet reports that he will not lose his Oscar for Best Actor.
According to a Los Angeles Police Department, Rock chose to not file a police report.
People around the world have taken to social media to comment on the possible consequences Smith could face, with many saying that if Smith is forced into a position to give back the award, the Academy would have to make the same request to several previous recipients.
What Will Smith did yesterday was stupid and reckless. However I don't believe he needs to give back his well deserved #Oscar. If Harvey Weinstein, a convicted rapist and sex offender, hasn't given back his, then Willard should put his proudly on a mantle. #BlackTwitter
— Abdul-Aziz Garuba (@garuba) March 28, 2022
If they make Will Smith give his Oscar back over that, I would like to start a running list of all the abusers, rapist, child molestors and murderers they’ve awarded.
— Read My Bio Before You @ Me (@queenveej) March 28, 2022
So y'all want Will Smith to give back his Oscar but you're fine with Harvey Weinstein, a convicted sex criminal, keeping his? Yeah, OK. 🙄
— Charlie Olsen (@ComicsisPeople) March 28, 2022
if will smith has to return his oscar for the ultimate, unforgivable crime of a slap then the academy better start writing a long fucking list of letters to domestic abusers, rapists, bigots, scientologists, and more.
— theodora the explorer 🏳️⚧️ (@valiumhousedyke) March 28, 2022
I think that #WillSmith should give back the Oscar to the Academy.
Fighting a moron with violence instead of using the proper words it’s not a responsible behavior.
And yes, I was kind calling Chris a moron but violence is never the answer. #AcademyAwards https://t.co/yxWXnj7qCo— Christiana (@christianavdw) March 28, 2022
#Oscars. Should make @willsmith give back his Best Actor’s Oscar Award! No question.
This was definitely a violence act and The Oscars said they DO NOT condone violence. Get on IT! #WillSmith 🤮— Eg (@Eghowdy) March 28, 2022