Will Smith can still be nominated and win an Oscar, but he can’t attend the show. This sounds more like a reward than a punishment. He needs to get out of his toxic marriage and get his head right.
The Board of Governors for the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences has announced that Will Smith will be banned from all Academy events, including the Oscars, for 10 years.
Per Variety, the board announced plans to review Smith after the actor slapped Chris Rock on stage during this year’s Academy Awards. It appears that following this review the board has decided upon its response to the slap.
“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.
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 Academy thanked Chris Rock for “maintaining his composure under extraordinary circumstances,” and says that it hopes “this can begin a time of healing and restoration for all involved and impacted.”