Will Smith's Agents Reportedly DEBATED Dropping Him As A Client
By MLC on April 5, 2022 at 1:30 PM EDT
It has officially been a week and two days since Will Smith smacked the s**t out of Chris Rock’s face at the 64th annual Academy Awards.
Since the “slap heard round the world” rung across our TV and computer screens, new theories and storylines about Smith, Rock and Jada Pinkett Smith's dynamic have come to light.
A new video of Jada allegedly laughing after the slap has started to circulate, and Smith’s happy go lucky attitude following the ceremony has also been taken into question.
Was It Real? Was It Staged? Was Jada Actually Mad?!?
Regardless of what fans are theorizing, a few things are for certain.
The slap did happen, Smith has faced a multitude of consequences and Hollywood heavy hitters are scrambling behind the scenes.
In a new report from The Daily Beast, the “King Richard” actor’s agents have reportedly been at odds with one another over what to do with their client.
The Daily Beast reported on April 4, “Last week, it was CAA’s overlords Bryan Lourd, Richard Lovett, and Kevin Huvane in the hot seat again as the famed talent and sports agency grappled with what to do about their own slap-happy star client.”
CAA Agents & Executives Were Scrambling Following The Slap
The talent reps reportedly had an internal debate over whether or not to drop Smith as their client.
As you can imagine, Smith is one of CAAs BIGGEST clients, and he just won the Academy Award for “Best Actor in a Lead Role.”
The Daily Beast reported that the actor’s personal agent, Lovett, was described as “frazzled” following the Oscars smackdown.
Lovett reportedly wants to keep Smith on board the CAA roster.
On the other hand, it’s also been reported that some agents wanted to get rid of Smith, as his actions were not a good look for the agency. Previously, CAA had ties to disgraced movie producer Harvey Weinstein.
Ultimately, the “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It” singer is still represented by CAA.
Despite His Actions, Smith Is Still Repped By CAA
In the days following his spat with Rock, Smith decided to resign from the Academy.
On March 27, Rock had cracked a joke about Jada‘s baldness, likening her to GI Jane. Jada rolled her eyes and Smith strode up to “smack the s**t out of” Rock.
The Academy was not impressed and let Smith know, sending him a disciplinary hearing notice. While Smith had apologized to the Academy at the event itself and later also issued a social media apology to Chris Rock, his behavior was still seen as demeaning.
Smith finally resigned and issued a formal statement.
The statement read: “My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable. The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home. I betrayed the trust of the Academy. I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. I am heartbroken.”
Smith Was Heartbroken To Resign From The Academy
He further stated, “So, I am resigning from membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and will accept any further consequences the Board deems appropriate. Change takes time and I am committed to doing the work to ensure that I never again allow violence to overtake reason.”
After Smith’s resignation, David Rubin, President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, also issued a statement.
“We have received and accepted Mr. Will Smith’s immediate resignation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. We will continue to move forward with our disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Smith for violations of the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, in advance of our next scheduled board meeting on April 18,” Rubin’s statement read.
