Will Smith Gets Punished With 10-Year Academy Ban for Chris Rock Slap During Oscars 2022

After slapping Chris Rock during the Oscars last month, Will Smith has been barred from attending the event for the next ten years.

In a statement to members on Friday, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences termed Will Smith's actions "unacceptable" and stated the newly minted Academy Award winner would be barred from attending any events or activities offered by the organization for the next ten years.

Will Smith Gets 10-Year Ban From Oscars Over Chris Rock Slap

Per CNBC, Will Smith approached Chris Rock onstage after the comedian made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's close-cropped hair. Pinkett Smith suffers from alopecia, a disorder that causes hair loss. Smith returned to his seat after hitting Rock and yelled profanities at his co-star.

The board of the academy was supposed to meet on April 18 to examine possible disciplinary sanctions, such as suspension or expulsion from the organization. Smith, on the other hand, resigned from the group last week, calling his actions "shocking, painful, and inexcusable."

Will Smith apologized to the academy and his fellow nominees during his acceptance speech for the best actor award, which he won for his portrayal of Richard Williams in "King Richard." He apologized to Rock via social media the day after the ceremony.

Smith's departure means he is no longer a member of the Academy's voting body, but it does not exclude him from being nominated in the future, according to a person familiar with the situation.

Traditionally, the best actor winner from the previous year gives the best actress award for the current year and the reigning best actress presents to the best actor trophy. Because of Smith's exclusion, the Academy Awards will have to break with custom. The day following the incident, Smith apologized to Rock on social media, CNN reported.

Smith reportedly contacted the show's producer, Will Packer, the next morning, apologizing and expressing his embarrassment, according to the producer.

Packer claimed officials from the Los Angeles Police Department were ready to arrest Will Smith for violence during the interview with "GMA," but Chris Rock indicated he didn't want that. "Deep thanks to Rock for retaining his cool under unusual circumstances," the Academy wrote in its letter.

Will Smith's Ban From the Academy Awards Garner Reactions

Meanwhile, 50 Cent said that the Academy Awards had "done Will Smith dirty" by forbidding him from attending Academy events for a decade. Will Smith has been given permission to keep his Oscar for his role in King Richard.

Following the announcement of his ban, 50 Cent - actual name Curtis Jackson - slammed the decision on Twitter. The rapper from Disco Inferno isn't the only one who has reacted to the news, with Ricky Gervais making a joke on social media. Following the star-studded event last month, an inquiry into his activities was initiated, as per Mirror.

Chris Rock may not be ready to speak about the incident, but his brother has been eager to express his thoughts on the topic, previously claiming that the actor's Best Actor award should be rescinded by The Academy.

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