Nearly two weeks after Will Smith smacked Chris Rock onstage at the Oscars, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has decided on a repercussion under its guidelines. The board members from the Academy announced on Friday that the King Richard star will “not be permitted to attend any events or programs, in person or virtually,” including future Academy Awards, as disciplinary action for the altercation.
The Academy statement added, “During our telecast, we did not adequately address the situation in the room. 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 also addressed Rock and hosts Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes and Regina Hall in the statement.
Rubin and Hudson said, “We want to express our 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.” Meanwhile, calling Smith’s behaviour at the March 27 ceremony ‘unacceptable and harmful,’ the organization said their latest ruling ‘is a step toward a larger goal of protecting the safety of our performers and guests, and restoring trust in the Academy.’
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However, The Best Actor winner responded after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ board of governors decided to ban him from Oscars ceremonies and other Academy events for the next 10 years (Oscars for 10) after he slapped Chris Rock onstage at the 2022 Oscars. In response to the ban, Smith shared said, “I accept and respect the Academy’s decision.”
The meeting was originally set for April 18 but was pushed up to April 8 since Smith formally resigned from the Academy on April 1. With expulsion off the table, Academy president David Rubin made moves to expedite the process for any possible sanctions, writing in a memo, “It is in the best interest of all involved for this to be handled in a timely fashion.” However, news of the ban comes one week after Men In Black actor resigned from the Academy, thereby losing his ability to vote in future Oscars.