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Actor Will Smith, who slapped comedian Chris Rock as a presenter at the 94th Academy Awards, was banned from attending and appearing at the awards ceremony for 10 years. However, the Best Actor award for ‘King Richards’ was not canceled.
In a statement issued following the board meeting of the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) on the 8th (local time), “Will Smith will hold the Academy Awards ceremony as well as additional Academy-related events from April 8, 2022 to 10 years. I can’t even attend online events,” he concluded.
The Academy said, “The 94th Academy was a place to commemorate all filmmakers who made remarkable progress last year. “However, it was overshadowed by the unacceptable and harmful behavior of Will Smith on stage,” he added.
“I accept and respect the Academy’s decision,” Will Smith issued a concise statement.
Earlier, at the 94th Academy Awards held on the 27th of last month, Will Smith went on stage and slapped Chris Rock on the cheek when Chris Rock, who was presenting the award, made a joke regarding his wife Jada Pinkett Smith, who is suffering from alopecia due to an autoimmune disease. Even following returning to his seat, he spit swear words and stood at the center of the controversy.
Will Smith apologized to the Academy and the ceremony attendees that day, but the criticism did not subside easily. Eventually, a few days later, Will Smith posted on social media, “There is no excuse. I betrayed the Academy’s trust. Other nominees and winners have been denied the opportunity to celebrate their special achievements.”
Seo Eun-hye Freelance reporter [email protected]