The Board of Governors for the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences voted to ban actor Will Smith from all Academy events for the next 10 years. This ban includes the Oscars.
The decision comes nearly two weeks after the 94th Academy Awards ceremony, where Smith slapped presenter Chris Rock onstage in retaliation for a joke Rock made about Jada Pinkett Smith. That night Will Smith won the Best Actor award for his performance in King Richard. On April 1, he resigned from the Academy.
In their statement, obtained by Variety, the Academy said, “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 Academy also apologized for not addressing the slap during the live broadcast of the Oscars, saying, “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.”
Smith’s statement following the ban was, “I accept and respect the Academy’s decision.”
