Will Smith Banned From Attending The Oscars For The Next 10 Years After Slapping Chris Rock On Stage
Will Smith has been officially banned from attending future Academy Awards for the next decade after slapping Chris Rock during the Oscars last month.
In a letter to organization members, The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences recognized Smith's behavior as "unacceptable" and said the recently granted Academy Award winner would not be allowed at any events or programs hosted by the group for 10 years.
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"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," the group wrote in the letter, obtained by NBC News. "We also hope this can begin a time of healing and restoration for all involved and impacted."
In response to the announcement of the ban, Smith said, "I accept and respect the Academy's decision." The actor resigned from the group a week earlier calling his own actions "shocking, painful, and inexcusable."
For the time being, Rock has refrained from making public comments about the slap. He told a crowd at a comedy show last week in Boston that he was "still processing what happened."
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"During our telecast, we did not adequately address the situation in the room," academy executives said in the letter Friday. "For this, we are sorry. This was an opportunity for us to set an example for our guests, viewers, and our Academy family around the world, and we fell short - unprepared for the unprecedented."
The academy has also conveyed that Smith refused to leave the ceremony after the incident. However, there are conflicting reports about whether Smith was actually asked to leave or if it was just suggested that he depart before his upcoming award category was called.
According to a producer of the show, The Los Angeles Police Department was ready to arrest Smith at the awards ceremony, but Chris Rock declined to press charges.
