Why is Will Smith banned from the Oscars 2023? Other celebrities banned from award shows
Will Smith’s slap at last year’s Oscars made headlines worldwide, landing him with a ten-year ban from the Academy Awards.
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Last year, after Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the 94th Academy Awards, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences board of governors voted to ban the actor from all events, including the Oscars, for ten years.
The actor stormed on stage at the 2022 ceremony last month to confront comedian Chris Rock, who had made a joke at the expense of Smith’s wife, Jada. He slapped Rock and continued to threaten the comedian after returning to his seat.
Smith was awarded the Oscar for Best Actor just minutes after the shocking incident, which should have been the crowning moment of a hugely successful career. The Academy has issued a statement describing Smith’s actions as “unacceptable and harmful.”
“The 94th Oscars were meant to be a celebration of the many individuals in our community who did incredible work this past year,” the Academy wrote. “However, those moments were overshadowed by the unacceptable and harmful behavior we saw Mr Smith exhibit on stage.”
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Can Will Smith keep his Oscar after being banned from the Academy?
Despite the Academy’s statement decrying Smith’s outburst and the ten-year punishment handed down, for now, it looks like the actor will be able to keep his Oscar. Multiple reports have suggested that Smith was asked to leave the ceremony after he attacked Rock, but he stayed to pick up the award.
After that he attended an Oscars after party and was filmed rapping along to one of his signature hits, ‘Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It’, surrounded by stars.
The statement released by the Academy outlined the terms of his ban: “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.”
However, while he is banned from the ceremonies, no mention was made of his eligibility to be nominated for, and even to win, Academy Awards in the future. With this in mind, and considering that the outburst came after all votes had been cast for the 2022 Oscars, there is no reason to assume that he would be stripped of the award.