Hollywood actor Will Smith has responded to the Academy’s decision to ban him from events for a decade.
“I accept and respect the Academy’s decision,” he said in a brief statement to Page Six on Friday.
The Aladin star’s response came minutes after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that it was banning him from all of the organization’s events for 10 years for slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars.
“The Board of Governors has decided, for a period of 10 years, from April 8, 2022, Mr. Smith shall not be permitted to attend any Academy events or programs in person or virtually, including but not limited to the Academy Awards,” the Academy said Friday.
The statement continued, “We want to express our deep gratitude to Mr. Rock for maintaining his composure under extraordinary circumstances. We also want to thank our hosts, nominees, presenters and winners for their poise and grace during our telecast.”
The actor, 53, will keep the Oscar he won this year for his role in “King Richard.”
Last week Will resigned from Hollywood’s Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences after he slapped presenter Chris Rock at the Oscars ceremony, Variety reported on Friday, citing a statement from the actor.
“I betrayed the trust of the Academy. I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work,” Smith’s statement said.
“So, I am resigning from membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and will accept any further consequences the Board deems appropriate,” the statement added.
Earlier The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Wednesday began “disciplinary proceedings” against Will Smith for his behavior at the Oscars, and revealed that Smith was asked to leave the show but refused to do so after slapping Chris Rock onstage during the ceremony.
The actor’s actions were in violation of the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, “including inappropriate physical contact, abusive or threatening behavior, and compromising the integrity of the Academy,” according to a statement released after a Board of Governors meeting. Smith could face suspension, expulsion or other sanctions if the board chooses to take action at the next scheduled meeting on April 18, the statement said.
Smith, who won the Oscar for best actor for “King Richard” not long after the slap, has been given 15 days notice of a vote regarding his violations and sanctions, and has the opportunity to provide a written response. The next board meeting is scheduled for April 18, when the Academy may take disciplinary action.
“Things unfolded in a way we could not have anticipated,” the academy said in a statement announcing that it had initiated disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Smith.
One notable new bit of information is the Academy stating they asked Will Smith to leave the Dolby Theatre but Smith refused to do so. One of the biggest bits of scrutiny regarding the handling of the moment was Smith not being removed from the auditorium. The Academy has offered clarification saying Smith was asked to leave but refused. “We also recognize we could have handled the situation differently,” the Academy statement read.
The Aladin star shocked everyone when he recently slapped Chris Rock during the 94th Academy Awards’ live broadcast.
Before presenting an award at the Oscars 2022, Chris joked about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, looking like ‘GI Jane 2’. This enraged the Aladin star who stormed the stage, lapping Chris and warning him to keep his wife’s name out of his ‘f*cking mouth’.
Although Will posted an apology on social media.
The post ‘The Academy’s decision’: Will Smith responds to 10-year Oscar ban appeared first on The Current.
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