Will Smith BANNED from attending Oscars for 10 years after slapping Chris Rock on stage
Zee News
The board of governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences took the action at a meeting held one week after Smith pre-emptively resigned from the group over his outburst at the live, televised event.
Los Angeles: Hollywood's film academy on Friday (April 9) banned Will Smith from attending the Oscars for 10 years after the best actor winner slapped presenter Chris Rock on stage at the Academy Awards ceremony 12 days ago. The board of governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences took the action at a meeting held one week after Smith pre-emptively 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," academy President David Rubin and Chief Executive Dawn Hudson said in a statement. "However, those moments were overshadowed by the unacceptable and harmful behaviour we saw Mr. Smith exhibit on stage."
In a statement, Smith said, "I accept and respect the Academy’s decision." The actor has issued previous statements apologizing to Rock, the Oscars producers, nominees and viewers. In addition to the Oscars, the film world's most prestigious awards, the board banned Smith from all other academy events and programmes, 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. 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 Apple TV+ film has been given since Smith strode up to the stage at the March 27 ceremony after comedian Rock made a joke about the appearance of the actor`s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, then smacked Rock across the face.
Less than an hour later, Smith gave a tearful speech on stage as he accepted the best actor award for his role in "King Richard," portraying the father of tennis superstars Serena and Venus Williams. After the ceremony, he was seen dancing at Vanity Fair`s annual post-Oscars party.
