Will Smith has been banned from the Oscars for 10 years. The action was taken in response to the violent scene that overshadowed the whole event. During the 94th Oscars, Will Smith slapped Chris Rock live on stage for making a hair-related joke directed towards Will Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett who is well known for battling a hair loss-related disease.
According to the statement that was issued by the Academy; Oscars had been overshadowed by unacceptable and harmful behaviors they saw Mr. Smith exhibit on stage. The ban was taken to restore trust in the Academy as well as to protect performers and guests said the Academy.
The 10 year ban has come after Will Smith had already won the best actor award for his role in the “King Richard” movie. Among the punishment options that were at the disposal of the academy, included taking back his newly won award and excluding him from future Oscar ceremonies. Will Smith apologized for his actions after which he resigned from the Academy promising to take responsibility for his actions.
It should be noted that most of the people that have resigned from the academy before were mostly on the basis of sexual abuse and piracy. Will Smith’s incident seems one of its kind in the Academy history.
Besides the oscar ban, Will Smith has been put on probation the projects he had already secured with Sony and Netflix studios.