Will Smith Receives 10 Year Ban From Oscars As A Result Of Slapping Chris Rock On Stage

Will Smith

Will Smith Receives 10 Year Ban From Oscars As A Result Of Slapping Chris Rock On Stage

Bad news for Will Smith.

The award winning actor will be banned from attending any Oscar award ceremonies for the next 10 years after hitting comedian Chris Rock.

Last month, viewers nationwide were shocked to see the “King Richard” star hit comedian Chris Rock on the Oscar stage. The slap came after Chris Rock made an insensitive joke about Will Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith’s, bald head caused by her alopecia condition. Shortly after the incident, the Academy released a statement saying an official review around the incident would be held to “explore further action and consequences”.

Originally, the meeting was scheduled to be held April 18th to determine the 53-year-old actors future with the Academy. However, after issuing his formal resignation April 1st, Academy president David Rubin opted to expedite the process to April 8th, writing in a memo:

“It is in the best interest of all involved for this to be handled in a timely fashion.”

While accepting his first ever Oscar award for his performance in “King Richard”, Will tearfully apologized the Academy for his actions. Later that evening, he released a second apology to Chris Rock via his Instagram page. According to the Academy though, Will’s actions were in clear violation of their code of conduct and ethics. In a public address on the matter the Academy noted:

“Unacceptable conduct includes “physical contact that is uninvited and, in the situation, inappropriate and unwelcome….The Academy may take any disciplinary action permitted by the Academy’s Bylaws, up to and including suspension of membership or expulsion from membership.”

According to reports, the official ruling read:

“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”

Will nor any associated parties have made statements on the ruling as of this time.

[VIA]

Do you think Will’s sentence from the Academy seems fair? Give us your thoughts in the comments!

Authored by: Kay Johnson