Celebrity Wanda Sykes, the Oscars co-host, has criticized the Academy for allowing actor-director-producer Will Smith to stay in the auditorium after he smacked stand-up comedian Chris Rock on Sunday night. She called Smith’s actions ‘gross’; a display she described as making her feel ‘physically nauseous.’
In an interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Sykes commented that she felt physically unwell, and was traumatized by the Oscars episode.
On Sunday night’s Oscars, Smith, surprised the Dolby Theatre audience and millions of television viewers when he marched onto the stage and slapped Rock, after the comedian joked about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, who has lost her hair due to alopecia.
Smith received the Best Actor prize for his depiction of Richard Williams, the father of tennis legends Serena and Venus Williams, less than an hour later. He apologized to the Academy during his acceptance speech and then to Rock later that night, calling his actions “unacceptable and reprehensible.”
During the interview, Sykes stated that Smith should have been removed from the premises immediately after slapping Rock. Sykes, who co-hosted the show with Amy Schumer and Regina Hall on Sunday night, said she was aware that Smith apologized to Rock, but that no one had apologized to them – the hosts.
Her remarks came just hours after fellow co-host Amy Schumer spoke out about the incident, saying she was “still upset and frightened” by the “disturbing” incident. Schumer said she is still feeling the effects of the on-stage confrontation in a post to her Instagram account in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Representatives for the Oscars announced on March 30th that “disciplinary hearings” have commenced over the on-stage incident involving Will Smith. Smith’s actions at the 94th Academy Awards were highly disturbing and painful to watch, the Academy stated.
The Academy representatives apologized to the nominees, attendees, and viewers for what happened during what was supposed to be a joyous occasion. On Wednesday, the Academy stated that it had requested Smith to leave the Dolby Theatre following the horrifying incident, but he refused.
According to reports, Will was asked to leave by two Oscars officials: David Rubin, the Academy’s President, and Dawn Hudson, the organization’s CEO. It is unclear when or where Will was asked to leave.
On Wednesday night, comedian Rock has made his first public remark since the Oscar incident during a comedy show in Boston. He said he was “still processing” the incident when asked about the weekend. His answer tamped down any expectations that people might have had from him.
Rock has reportedly told the Los Angeles Police that he will not press charges. Should Rock change his mind, Smith may still face a misdemeanor battery charge.
(Photo: Wiki Wanda Sykes)
(Photo: YouTube Screen shot)
