Last Friday, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ board of governors decided to ban Will Smith from the Oscars for the next 10 years for slapping Chris Rock during the awards show last month.
Now, an expert is speaking out to reveal what this ban means for Smith. And, one of Smith’s fellow actors is calling on him to return his Academy Award.
The Academy has banned Will Smith from the Oscars for 10 years following his attack on Chris Rock at this year’s ceremony. pic.twitter.com/6MR51s0WO5
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) April 8, 2022
Academy Bans Smith
Academy President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson stated in a letter that the board has ruled that “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.”
“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,” they added. “We also hope this can begin a time of healing and restoration for all involved and impacted.”
Smith responded in a brief statement, saying, “I accept and respect the Academy’s decision.”
Related: Will Smith Terrified Of Being ‘Fully Canceled’ For Oscars Slap – ‘Biggest Fear’
‘Steep Price For Him To Pay’
Dave Karger, the Turner Classic Movies host and entertainment expert, has since given his thoughts on Smith’s punishment in an interview with People Magazine.
“Will Smith’s punishment is not as severe as a lifetime ban from the Oscar ceremony but it’s still a steep price for him to pay. He is still eligible to be nominated for an Academy Award, as is anyone who works on a project he stars in,” Karger said.
“But, I highly doubt he will hear his name called as a nominee in the near future,” he added.
Harry Lennix, an actor who is best known for appearing in movies like Justice League and Ray, thinks that this ban is not enough of a punishment for Smith.
Actor Harry Lennix Calls on Will Smith to 'Come to Grips' and Return His Oscar After Chris Rock Slap https://t.co/QPJ8NyKBdK
— People (@people) April 11, 2022
In fact, he thinks that Smith needs to return the Oscar that he won for his work in King Richard minutes after he slapped Rock.
Related: Surprising Will Smith Video Surfaces After Oscars Slap Scandal – He Warns Jada ‘Don’t Use Me’
Lennix Demands Smith Return His Oscar
In a scathing op-ed for Variety, Lennix wrote that Smith “needs to come to grips with the gravity of the offense he committed” and “express-mail his golden trophy back to the Academy and publicly state something to the effect of: ‘Out of respect for the 94 years of honor conferred upon this award, I do not in good conscience feel worthy of being its custodian.'”
“At this point, the only person who can redeem the integrity of the Oscars is Smith himself. Smith’s brutality stripped the entire evening of its prestige,” Lennix continued. “The stain on the Motion Picture Academy cannot be easily remediated. The only hope for a justifiable grace must involve Smith voluntarily returning his award for best actor.”
One thing is for sure, this is one Oscars moment that nobody will be forgetting anytime soon. It will certainly be interesting to see if Smith’s career in Hollywood can ever recover from this.
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