Will Smith has been banned from attending the Oscars or any other academy event for 10 years. The ban has been imposed following his slap of Chris Rock at the Academy Awards.
“The 94th Oscars were meant to be a celebration of the many individuals who did incredible work this past year. However, those moments were overshadowed by the unacceptable behaviour we saw Mr. Smith exhibit on stage,” the academy said in a statement.
“I accept and respect the Academy’s decision,” Smith said in response. He had resigned from the academy last week during the run-up to the meeting, calling his actions “shocking, painful, and inexcusable.”
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Smith keeps the Oscar he won this year and will be eligible for nominations in the 10-year period. However, he won’t be able to attend the event to accept an awards he may win.
The academy also apologized for its handling of the situation and allowing Smith to stay and accept his best actor award for King Richard.
The Oscars have struggled with their messaging and fallout after the incident.
Academy members and Hollywood industry had raised questions over Smith being allowed to accept his statuette and speak at the event after the incident.
When the disciplinary proceedings were announced, the Academy said that Smith had refused to leave the ceremony, something multiple sources have refuted.
The organization didn’t have too many other options to impose, as Smith has already resigned from the Academy.
Smith assaulted Rock after the comedian made a joke about wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head. Pinkett Smith has spoken publicly about her struggles with hair loss due to alopecia. Smith apologized to Rock in an Instagram post the day after the incident.
