'He will beg for forgiveness': Why the next fortnight will decide FATE of Will Smith's career
Will Smith reportedly has a fortnight to save his career as the Academy is considering taking away his Oscar. The Hollywood star is said to be planning to "beg for forgiveness" in a letter to Academy bosses.
Smith, 53, who won the Best Actor award for his performance in 'King Richard', will reportedly have a 'D-Day' hearing with the Academy on April 18 to determine "if he still has an Oscar - and a career," according to an insider. The 'I am Legend' star is also planning to call Oscars chiefs within the "next 24 hours" to plead his case ahead of the panel meeting later this month. Smith shocked the world as he slapped veteran comedian Chris Rock on stage at the 94th Academy Awards held at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 27, for poking fun at his wife Jada Pinkett Smith's shaved head.
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"Things are hanging in the balance. He will write an official letter to apologize, and effectively beg for their forgiveness," a source with knowledge of internal developments told The Sun. "April 18 is D-Day, though — he will find out if he still has an Oscar, and quite possibly, a career," they added. According to the paper, Smith's upcoming projects in the pipeline -- including 'Bad Boys 4' and Apple slavery drama 'Emancipation' -- are now hanging in the balance as awards bosses refuse to "pick sides too early."
Smith did not help his case by appearing defiant during his Best Actor speech and later dancing with his family at the Vanity Fair after-party. "That doesn’t exactly say, 'I’m sorry for what I’ve done and I’m ashamed.' It’s more, 'I don’t care,'" one Oscars attendee noted to The Sun on condition of anonymity.
This comes after it emerged that Rock refused to have Smith arrested. Oscars producer Will Packer said the celebrated comic was asked by law enforcement if he wanted his attacker removed from the show and charged with battery. "We will go get him, we are prepared to get him right now. You can press charges. We can arrest him," cops allegedly told Rock. But the comic turned down the authorities and told them, "No, I'm fine. No, no, no," according to Packer.
Despite Rock's decision not to press charges, the LAPD confirmed on Sunday, March 27, that he can still ask for a full police investigation into the incident. That said, Smith is now preparing for formal disciplinary proceedings with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) and could face "suspension, expulsion or other sanctions" by AMPAS - including having his Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role snatched from him.
"Consistent with the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, as well as California law, Mr. Smith is being provided at least 15 days’ notice of a vote regarding his violations and sanctions, and the opportunity to be heard beforehand by means of a written response," the Academy announced on Wednesday, March 29. The statement came one day after Smith met with awards bosses to discuss the repercussions of his actions, Variety reported.
Sources familiar with the meeting say there was a nearly 30-minute Zoom discussion between Oscars president David Rubin, CEO Dawn Hudson, and Smith. One insider claimed the actor profusely apologized to the Academy bosses for his actions and said he was aware that there would be consequences. The 'Seven Pounds' star allegedly also tried to explain why he snapped at Rock for joking about his wife Jada. However, those who attended Wednesday's emergency meeting of the Academy’s Board of Governors told Variety that Rubin or Hudson did not mention their alleged discussion with Smith. Having said that, the actor could be slapped with a possible year-long ban from the Oscars, which would also bar him from being nominated for various awards.