The Academy for Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has banned Will Smith from attending the Academy Awards for 10 years following the Oscar incident that the world is currently talking about.
Previously, The King Richard star Will Smith put forward his resignation in response to a hearing notice from The Academy. The world is aware of the slapping incident that happened on stage during the 94th Academy Awards. The crucial step comes as a result of this scandal. Read on more about the Academy’s ban.
Board of Governors
A meeting was held yesterday by the Board of Governors to discuss Will Smith’s inexcusable actions at the Oscars. The ban was initiated immediately after the meeting was concluded. In an open letter, the Board of Governors stated:
“Today, the Board of Governors convened a meeting to discuss how best to respond to Will Smith’s actions at the Oscars, in addition to accepting his resignation. The Board has decided, for a period of 10 years from April 8, 2022, that 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 stated at the time of the incident that it did not “adequately address the situation in the room” and had been “unprepared for the unprecedented”. The Academy stated:
“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.”
FYI. Ten years. pic.twitter.com/VWay8TPR31
— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) April 8, 2022
The Academy also thanked Chris Rock for “maintaining his composure under extraordinary circumstances”. Smith has responded to the Academy’s decision by saying, “I accept and respect the Academy’s decision.” However, Rock’s representative hasn’t responded to the request for a statement.
What is the world saying?
Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on the stage of the 2022 Oscars and seems like it has cost him too much. Although Will is the epicentre of several trolls and memes, the academy’s decision met with mixed reactions.
Academy banned Will Smith for 10 years, but not:
Kevin Spacey
Harvey Weinstein
Casey Affleck
Woody Allen
Mel Gibson
Roman Polanski
James Franco
James Toback
Dustin HoffmanAnd there are allegations against Jeffrey Tambor, Richard Dreyfuss, James Woods, and Ansel Elgort. #Oscars https://t.co/iu6SXSnOoT
— Paul Dawkins (@Paul__Dawkins) April 8, 2022
baffling that will smith's career is crumbling because of a slap, but whenever some celebrities were outed as legitimate predators, they were still able to stay in business…
racially motivated.
— ✨🌺 Jared 🌺✨ • #BLM ✊🏾 • 🦉🐸 spoilers (@jeezreeze12) April 8, 2022
Some critics are supporting Will Smith and revealed that the academy’s decision was racially motivated. People also cited inappropriate behaviour by previous Oscar winners like comedian Jim Carrey who made live-show advances on an unwilling Alicia Silverstone during the 1997 MTV Movie Awards while some cited Oscar winner Adrien Brody who kissed Halle Berry at the 2003 Oscars.
Okay. This seems insane. https://t.co/HER6iD3Cd1
— Karen Attiah (@KarenAttiah) April 8, 2022
BREAKING: Will Smith banned by the Hollywood Academy, 12 days after he slapped Chris Rock.
It took the same Academy 40 years to ban Roman Polanski after he was convicted of raping a child.— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 8, 2022
Some Twitterites called it a delayed punishment and compared it with disgraced Hollywood personalities like Oscar-winners Roman Polanski, Kevin Spacey and Harvey Weinstein. FYI, it took the Board 40 years to ban Roman Polanski. One fan simply tweeted, “a harsher punishment would have been regular attendance at the Oscars.” Have a look at some of the reactions.
So to be clear, Will Smith can still be nominated and win an Oscar, he just can't go to the show or Oscar-related events. Makes sense.
— Joe Flint Vessel of Love (@JBFlint) April 8, 2022
A harsher punishment would have been mandatory attendance for 10 years. https://t.co/SDkVfDIBzp
— (((Joshua Malina))) (@JoshMalina) April 8, 2022
10 years over slap like they issuing a goddamn prison sentence on a black man i don’t like it.
— 🃏ᴰʳnibby⁷✿ (@ZoroMins) April 8, 2022
What does this ban reflect?
The 10-year ban from the Oscars means that Will Smith, being an Oscar-winner this year, will not be on hand to present the winner of the Best Actress trophy at the 2023 Academy Awards.
This is an ongoing tradition that producers have followed for years. Well, he is banned from the Oscars but not banned from getting a nomination. Will Smith is just banned from attending Oscar events or participating in voting. However, he can still win an Oscar. What do you think about this ban?
