Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president Janet Yang told assembled nominees at the annual Oscar Nominees Luncheon on Monday that the organization’s response to the Will Smith slap during last year’s Oscars was inadequate.
Yang made the comments during opening remarks at the event, being held this afternoon at the Beverly Hilton. “I’m sure you all remember we experienced an unprecedented event at the Oscars,” she told the group. “What happened onstage was fully unacceptable and the response from our organization was inadequate.
We learned from this that the Academy must be fully transparent and accountable in our actions, and particularly in times of crisis you must act swiftly, compassionately and decisively for ourselves and for our industry.
You should and can expect no less from us going forward.” Smith walked onto the stage and struck presenter Chris Rock on live TV after Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith.
Read more on deadline.com