Hollywood’s film Academy, has banned Will Smith from attending the Oscars for 10 years after the Best Actor Winner slapped presenter, Chris Rock, on stage at the 2022 Academy Awards ceremony.
The Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences took the action at a meeting held one week after Smith proactively resigned from the group over his outburst at the live, televised event.
“The 94th Oscars were meant to be a celebration of the many individuals in our community who did incredible work this past year. However, those moments were overshadowed by the unacceptable and harmful behavior we saw Mr. Smith exhibit on stage,” academy President, David Rubin, and Chief Executive, Dawn Hudson, said in a statement.
In addition to the Oscars, the film world’s most prestigious awards, the board banned Smith from all other academy events and programs, in person or virtually, for 10 years.
The group did not say, however, that he would be ineligible to be nominated for Oscars during that time.
Shortly after the Academy’s ban, Will Smith responded in a statement saying, “I accept and respect the Academy’s decision”. It is worth mentioning that the actor issued previous statements apologizing to Rock, the Oscars producers, nominees, and viewers.
Meanwhile, Dana Harris-Bridson, Editor-in-Chief of online entertainment publication, IndieWire, called the Academy’s ban of Smith “too little, too late”. According to her, the group should have removed the actor from the ceremony at the Dolby Theatre.
“The academy had few options, particularly since Smith resigned before his membership in the group could be revoked,” Dana said, adding that “The moment they had was the moment in the theater”.
In the statement banning Will Smith, the Academy’s leaders noted they did not adequately address the situation during the telecast, and “For this, we are sorry“.
“This was an opportunity for us to set an example for our guests, viewers, and our Academy family around the world, and we fell short — unprepared for the unprecedented,” the Academy apologized.
Per reports, the Academy disclosed that it had asked Smith to leave, but details of that statement have been disputed and the actor stayed for the rest of the ceremony.
The Academy’s CEO and President also expressed deep gratitude to Mr. Rock for maintaining his composure under extraordinary circumstances.
“We also want to thank our hosts, nominees, presenters, and winners for their poise and grace during our telecast,” the Academy’s CEO said. “We also hope this can begin a time of healing and restoration for all involved and impacted”.
Meanwhile, Smith’s next movie, action thriller ‘Emancipation’ about a man who escapes from slavery, had been set for release later this year. No update on the film has been given since Smith smacked Rock across the face at the 2022 Oscars.
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