9th April, 2022
Hollywood actor, Will Smith has accepted his 10-year ban as a punishment from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences for slapping Chris Rock across the face last month.
Smith was served the ban after he confronted Chris Rock onstage for making a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, who has alopecia.
Acknowledging the academy’s decision to ban him, Smith in a statement on Friday said “I accept and respect the Academy’s decision.”
The Academy on Friday announced that they had reached a decision after conducting a formal review into Smith’s actions during the 2022 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 behaviour we saw Mr. Smith exhibit on stage,” a letter sent by Academy President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson on Friday reads.
“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.”
The statement concluded: “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, 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 board meeting occurred via Zoom on Friday, nearly two weeks after the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air alum‘s altercation with Rock.