The infamous slap gate at Oscars did lead to huge ripples. Finally, on Friday, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences banned the actor from all future Academy events, including the Oscars, for ten years.
“The 94th Oscars were meant to be a celebration of the many individuals in our community who did incredible work this past year. However, those moments were overshadowed by Mr Smith’s on-stage unacceptable and harmful behaviour,” came the joint statement from Academy president David Rubin and cief executive Dawn Hudson.
For his part, Smith issued a simple line: “I accept and respect the Academy’s decision.”
On April 1, the actor resigned from the Academy and apologised to Rock, the Oscars producers, nominees, and viewers in statements.
Smith strode up to the stage after comedian Chris Rock made a joke about the actor’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, at the March 27 televised ceremony, then smacked Rock across the face.
Smith accepted the best actor award for his role in “King Richard” less than an hour later, giving a tearful speech on stage. He was seen dancing at Vanity Fair’s annual post-Oscars party after the ceremony.
Rock’s joke about Pinkett Smith was a reference to Demi Moore’s shaved head in the 1997 film “G.I. Jane.” It’s unclear whether Rock is aware that she suffers from a hair-loss condition.
