Will Smith Gets 10-Year Ban from Oscars for Slapping Chris Rock

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The Oscars audience of actors

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has decided Will Smith will be banned from attending any Academy events or programs, including future Oscars, for a period of 10 years.

The Academy’s Board of Governors made the decision Friday, nearly two weeks after Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars.

“The 94th Oscars were meant to be a celebration of the many individuals in our community who did incredible work this past year; however, those moments were overshadowed by the unacceptable and harmful behavior we saw Mr. Smith exhibit on stage,” the Academy said in a statement. “…This action we are taking today in response to Will Smith’s behavior is a step toward a larger goal of protecting the safety of our performers and guests, and restoring trust in the Academy. We also hope this can begin a time of healing and restoration for all involved and impacted.”

The ban takes effect on April 8, 2022.

“I will accept and respect the Academy’s decision,” Smith said in a brief statement.

Despite the 10-year ban from the Oscars ceremony, Will Smith will retain the Oscar that he won for King Richard, and he remains eligible for future Oscar nominations and wins.

To recap…

At the March 27 Oscars, Smith charged the stage and slapped Chris Rock after the comedian told a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Less than an hour later, he won an Oscar for his performance in “King Richard,” but the film industry quickly began speculating on how the Academy would punish Smith for the incident.

Many believed that Smith could be expelled from the Academy, but the actor chose to resign from the organization before he could be kicked out.

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