Newsman: Academy award winning actor Will Smith will not be allowed to attend any Academy events, including the Oscars, for 10 years following the actor’s conduct at this year’s annual awards show, the Board of Governors for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences ruled Friday.
“The Board has decided, for a period of 10 years from April 8, 2022, 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 organization said in a statement Friday following a hearing to .discuss Smith slapping comedian Chris Rock at the Oscars, reads a letter from the academy, signed by Academy President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson, announcing the decision.
“I accept and respect the academy’s decision,” Smith said in a statement on Friday.
“During our telecast, we did not adequately address the situation in the room. For this, we are sorry,” the Board of Governors said in its statement. “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.”
The organization shared its “deep gratitude” toward Rock “for maintaining his composure under extraordinary circumstances,” as well as the award show’s hosts, nominees, presenters and winners “for their poise and grace during our telecast.”
“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,” the statement concluded. “We also hope this can begin a time of healing and restoration for all involved and impacted.”
This disciplinary decision comes The academy apologized for how the incident was handled on its part, saying it was “unprepared for the unprecedented.”
The letter also said this outcome is “a step toward a larger goal of protecting the safety of our performers and guests, and restoring trust in the Academy.” The academy concluded by saying it hoped this “can begin a time of healing and restoration for all involved and impacted.”
The news comes a week after Smith resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences after the viral moment at the 2022 Oscars when Smith walked on stage and slapped presenter Rock for a joke he had made about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
