Will Smith’s Short But Sweet Response To 10-year Academy Ban

Since Will Smith’s Oscars night smackdown of comic Chris Rock, everyone has been waiting for the Academy’s harsh reaction and what action the organization will take in response to Smith’s terrible behavior. The Academy said on Friday that all of the board members had voted to prohibit Will for ten years as a punishment.

Smith, who earned his first Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the film “King Richard,” will be barred from attending any Oscar ceremony for nearly a decade.

On Oscars night, the 53-year-old actor punched comedian Rock as he climbed the stage to deliver the trophy and made a joke about Smith’s wife Jada’s shaved head, which enraged the actor.

President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson issued a lengthy statement in which they stated: “In addition to accepting Will Smith’s resignation, the Board of Governors had a meeting today to decide how best to respond to his behavior at the Oscars. Mr Smith will not be permitted to attend any Academy events or programs, in person or online, for a period of ten years beginning April 8, 2022, including but not limited to the Academy Awards.”

“The 94th Academy Awards were supposed to be a celebration of the many people in our community who accomplished tremendous work this year; yet, those moments were overshadowed by the unacceptable and hurtful behavior we saw Mr Smith demonstrate on stage,” according to the statement.

Will responded to the Academy’s decision to ban him by saying, “I accept and respect the Academy’s decision,” in a brief statement to Page Six.

Since the Oscars, Smith, who has faced widespread criticism, has apologized publicly to Chris and resigned from the Academy.

Source: wionews.com