Will Smith Banned From the Oscars for 10 Years: Smith’s Response “I accept and respect the Academy’s decision”
4 min read
Christopher Polk for Variety
Will Smith has been barred from attending the Oscars and other Academy events for the next ten years after slapping comedian Chris Rock at the ceremony.
The 94th Academy Awards were “overshadowed by the reprehensible and damaging behavior we saw Mr. Smith demonstrate on stage,” according to a statement from the Academy.
Will Smith has apologized for his behavior and resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
The actor slammed Rock for making a joke about his wife’s shaved head. It is the result of alopecia, a hair-loss condition.
The goal of Banning Will Smith was to “restore trust in the Academy”
On Friday, the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which hosts the awards show, met online to discuss disciplinary action.
It stated in a statement that the prohibition was aimed at protecting performers and guests. And also “restoring trust in the Academy.”
The Academy claimed it did not “adequately address the situation in the room” at the moment of the slap and was “unprepared for the unprecedented.” It expressed regret for this.
Will Smith said in his resignation statement that he had “betrayed the Academy’s trust” and was “heartbroken” over his actions.
Will Smith has officially been banned from all Academy events and award shows for 10 years after slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars. pic.twitter.com/WT7Dp3yqv8
— IGN (@IGN) April 8, 2022
He went on to say that he would “totally accept any and all consequences” for his actions.
It also praised Rock for “retaining his coolness in the face of adversity.”
Will Smith said in his resignation statement that he had “betrayed the Academy’s trust” and was “heartbroken” over his actions.
He went on to say that he would “totally accept any and all consequences” for his actions. As a result of his departure, he will be unable to vote in future Oscars.
Few of the academy members have also resigned
Four members have been removed for sexual misconduct allegations: producer Harvey Weinstein, actor Bill Cosby, director Roman Polanski, and cinematographer Adam Kimmel. Actor Carmine Caridi was expelled in 2004 for pirating screener movies handed to him.
However, the film academy’s code of conduct included a number of punitive possibilities for Will Smith. It included barring him from future Oscar ceremonies, canceling his eligibility for prizes, and returning his newly won Oscar.
Only one Oscar has ever been rescinded; in 1969, a film called “Young Americans” won best documentary but was later discovered to be ineligible for the prize.
Smith would face “huge consequences,” according to star Whoopi Goldberg, a member of the academy’s board of governors, but “we’re not going to take away that Oscar from him.”
In addition to the Academy’s moves, Sony and Netflix have both put Smith’s projects on hold.
Rock, who started his new stand-up comedy tour shortly after the Oscars, has remained silent on the incident.
Will Smith reacts to the Academy’s 10-year ban
Will Smith’s retort came only minutes after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced a 10-year suspension from all Academy events for hitting Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars.
In a statement to Page Six on Friday, he stated, “I accept and appreciate the Academy’s decision.”
“The Board of Governors has decided that Mr. Smith will not be permitted to attend any Academy events or programs in person or online, including but not limited to the Academy Awards, for a period of ten years, beginning April 8, 2022, the Academy stated Friday.
Will Smith announced his resignation from the Academy last week, which meant he could no longer vote but could still be nominated and attend the awards presentation.
He commented at the time, “My acts at the 94th Academy Awards ceremony were surprising, painful, and unacceptable.”
Will Smith: “We got banned from the Oscars for 10 years!”
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) April 8, 2022
Jada: pic.twitter.com/AJ5VKM3kwS
BREAKING: Will Smith banned by the Hollywood Academy, 12 days after he slapped Chris Rock.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 8, 2022
It took the same Academy 40 years to ban Roman Polanski after he was convicted of raping a child.
I’m crying because Will Smith is just banned from sitting through the boring 3+ hour ceremony.
— Junior Maruwa (@juniormaruwa) April 8, 2022
What a joke of a punishment. https://t.co/NdXFchFtKn
Ankita Khanrah
Ankita Khanrah is a second-year student of the Master of Communication and Journalism (Integrated) programme at the School of Mass Communication, KIIT Deemed University, Bhubaneswar.
