The Board of Governors for the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences met on April 8, 2022, to discuss the consequences for Will Smith following his slap at Chris Rock during the Academy Awards. The board came together on a vote and said that Smith will be banned from attending the Oscars for 10 years because of the “harmful behavior” he displayed when he struck Rock on March 27.
In a statement to CNN following the punishment, Smith said, “I accept and respect the Academy’s decision.” Smith hit the stand-up comic after he made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head. Pinkett Smith suffers from the autoimmune disease alopecia, which causes hair loss.
Following the incident, Smith apologized to Rock for his conduct and resigned from the Academy, despite picking up the award for Best Actor for his role in King Richard.
The statement from Rubin and Hudson reads: “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.”
Smith’s resignation means that he is no longer part of the Academy’s voting body, but it doesn’t prevent him from being nominated for an Oscar in the future. The Academy’s open letter is below.
