Will Smith accepted his ten-year ban from the Academy Awards, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science’s board of governors have unanimously voted to bar Will Smith from future Academy Awards events, Oscar shows and other programs for a decade following his slap to the comedian Chris Rock on national television. Will Smith told PEOPLE magazine, “I accept and respect the Academy’s decision.”
The Academy issued a statement on April 8th, saying, “The Board of Governors 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.” Although, 53 years old Will Smith will not be stripped of his Oscar award which he bagged for his role in the film King Richard. On 27th March, The Pursuit Of Happiness star hit Chris Rock as he joked on Jada Pinkett Smith’s bald head, the Collateral actress is suffering from alopecia which is a medical condition involving hair loss.
Smith did not apologised to Rock during his acceptance speech when he won the Best Actor award but issued a statement the very next day via Instagram, writing, “Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusbale. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about my Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.” Chris Rock refused to file a police report against the Hancock star. Many demanded Will Smith’s Oscar award be stripped but considering that disgraceful Hollywood figures such as Roman Polanski and Harvey Weinstein’s awards were not taken away by the Academy despite their rape scandals, it is likely that Smith will get to keep his award.
Chris Rock’s brother Tony Rock said to Los Angeles Times that Smith “belittled (Chris Rock” in front of millions of people that watch the show.” As per Academy’s custom, the winner of the best actor award is invited to give award of the same category in next year’s Oscars, which Will will not get to be a part of.