Headline Roundup • April 8th, 2022
Academy Bans Will Smith From Oscars for 10 Years
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has banned actor Will Smith from attending the Academy Awards for the next 10 years as punishment for slapping comedian Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars.
In a statement sent to several media outlets, Academy President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson wrote that “The board 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 statement also apologized for not “adequately” addressing the “unprecedented” altercation during the 2022 awards ceremony.
Smith issued a brief response to the decision, saying, “I accept and respect the academy’s decision.” The actor resigned from the Academy on April 1, a few days before the Academy formally condemned his actions.
Coverage of Smith’s ban from the Oscars dominated homepages across the spectrum on Friday evening, often overshadowing coverage of high-profile political stories. While coverage was mostly balanced between left and right-rated outlets, many outlets appeared to sensationalize the story by covering related stories about Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
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Photo: PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP (Getty Images)
While it’s been nearly two weeks since the infamous Will Smith/Chris Rock slap incident occurred at the 2022 Oscars, the Academy has finally handed down its reprimands for the King Richard star.
After a nearly three-hour long Board of Governors meeting on Friday, per an official “Open Letter to Our Academy Family” from Academy President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson sent to The Root, the Academy has decided to officially ban Smith from attending “any Academy events or programs, in person or virtually, including but not limited to the Academy Awards” in addition to accepting his resignation from the prestigious membership.
Christopher Polk for Variety
The Board of Governors for the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences met Friday morning to discuss the consequences for actor Will Smith following his slap of presenter Chris Rock during the 94th Oscars telecast, and voted to ban Smith from all Academy events including the Oscars for 10 years.
Smith, who resigned from the Academy last week, replied soon after in a statement, saying “I accept and respect the Academy’s decision.”
Here is the Academy’s statement:
“The 94th Oscars were meant to be a celebration of the many individuals in our community...
Arturo Holmes/FilmMagic
The Oscars just delivered more than a slap on the wrist to Will Smith: The academy’s board of governors has banned this year’s Best Actor winner from attending the awards ceremony for the next decade after he assaulted comedian Chris Rock at the 2022 ceremony.
The academy’s 54-member board convened for a reportedly “contentious” Zoom meeting on Friday morning to discuss “possible sanctions” against the actor — who will, as it turns out, be allowed to keep his trophy.
