The Board of Governors for the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences has announced that Will Smith will be banned from all Academy events, including the Oscars, for 10 years.
Per Variety, the board announced plans to review Smith after the actor slapped Chris Rock on stage during this year’s Academy Awards. It appears that following this review the board has decided upon its response to the slap.
“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,” the Academy said in a statement.
The Board has decided, for a period of 10 years from April 8, 2022, Mr. Smith shall not be permitted to attend any Academy events or programs, in person or virtually, including but not limited to the Academy Awards.”
The Academy thanked Chris Rock for “maintaining his composure under extraordinary circumstances,” and says that it hopes “this can begin a time of healing and restoration for all involved and impacted.”
In a short statement, Smith says he accepts and respects the Academy's decision.
Seven word statement from Will Smith reacting to his ten-year ban from Academy events: "I accept and respect the Academy's decision."
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) April 8, 2022
The Academy did not announce plans to strip Smith of his Oscar for Best Actor despite calls to do so, and it’s unlikely the board has that authority. Convicted criminals like Harvey Weinstein and Roman Polanski still have their Oscars even after being expelled from the Academy.
Smith walked up to Chris Rock and slapped him while he was on stage, live, at this year's Oscars following a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith. There was immediate confusion over the moment and Oscar producers wondered if it was a bit. Claims that the Academy asked Smith to leave immediately after the incident have been disputed, but the board did announce formal disciplinary proceedings on March 30.
While unable to attend events and awards, Smith is not barred from being nominated or winning awards during his ban. Smith also resigned from the Academy following the incident. Several Will Smith projects in development, including Bad Boys 4, have also been put on hold.
Matt T.M. Kim is IGN's News Editor. You can reach him @lawoftd.
(Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
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