Will Smith‘s controversial slap in the face to Chris Rock during the last Oscar Awards gala continues to make headlines. The news now is that the protagonist of ‘The Williams Method’ (‘King Richard’) has submitted his resignation as a member of the Hollywood Academy after what happened.

Will Smith’s statement

Smith had already apologized to Rock, which was not enough for the Academy to put aside what happened and announce disciplinary action. Perhaps because he wanted to anticipate it, the actor has chosen to announce his resignation and that he will accept any other punishment that the Academy considers pertinent in a statement that I translate below.

I have responded directly to the Academy’s disciplinary hearing notice, and willfully accept all consequences of my conduct. My actions at the 94th Academy Awards were shocking, painful, and unforgivable. The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, everyone in attendance, and the global audience at home.

I betrayed the trust of the Academy. I have deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. My heart is broken. I want to bring the spotlight back to those who deserve the spotlight for their achievements and allow the Academy to pick up on the incredible work it does to support creativity and artistry in film. Therefore, I resign my membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and I will accept any other consequences that the Board deems appropriate.

Now the question remains whether the Academy will add any additional punishment. There has been talk of the possibility of withdrawing the Oscar that he won that same day for his work in ‘The Williams Method’, but it seems that it is not an option that is being seriously considered.

What is clear is that the Hollywood Academy does not condone violence and also that Smith needed to take the bull by the horns before the situation got even more out of control. Recall that just a few hours ago a video was leaked in which Jada Pinkett Smith was seen laughing after what happened, something that did not exactly help the waters to calm down. Likewise, celebrities such as Jim Carrey, Wanda Skyes or Pedro Almodóvar have harshly criticized Smith and the Academy.

Now it will be necessary to see if the thing finishes here or with some small additional measure or if the thing continues escalating. A priori, everything indicates that we are facing the beginning of the end for a scandal that never had to happen.