- The Academy has ruled on Will Smith's punishment
- They are banning him from the Oscars for 10 years
- He can keep his Oscar after the infamous slap
Will Smith's fate with the Academy has been decided. After he slapped Chris Rock on stage at the 2022 Oscars, Smith is facing a 10-year ban from attending the award show, the Academy announced today.
However, he will get to keep his Best Actor win for King Richard and can still compete for awards in the years to come. He just won't be allowed at the ceremonies. The decision came after Smith resigned from the Academy in the aftermath of "the slap."
Will Smith faces Oscars ban for a decade after "the slap"
The Academy said in a statement: "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."
So how does Will Smith feel about the news? He told Deadline today: "I accept and respect the Academy's decision." He had already given up his Academy membership following the controversial moment.
Also interesting:
It looks like the saga of "the slap" is finally nearing an end. The incident has been a hot topic since it happened just under two weeks ago. Will Smith, of course, stormed the Oscars stage and hit Chris Rock after he joked about his wife Jada's alopecia.
The attack has divided celebrities and fans alike, and sparked a range of debates about the Smith family and about Hollywood, comedy, and award shows in general.