Oscar’s Academy President Janet Yang Admits Response To Will Smith Slap Was ‘Inadequate’

It’s hard to believe that the slap that took the world by storm is approaching its one-year anniversary.

When actor Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock for disrespecting his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, at the 94th Academy Awards, no one knew how to react, especially the Oscars committee who admitted, a year later, that their response was “inadequate.”

Academy President Janet Yang addressed the slap heard ‘round the world at the Oscar nominees luncheon, saying, “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.”

The Academy held disciplinary proceedings against Smith which resulted in a 10-year ban from the award show as well as any Academy-related events.