Will Smith has not finished paying the consequences of the slap given to Chris Rock during the 94th ceremony, which was held on Sunday March 27 live from the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. The star had resigned from the Academy a few days ago. “My actions at the 94th Academy Awards were shocking, painful and inexcusable”, wrote the actor. The man who won the best actor statuette against Denzel Washington, notably for his role as the father of tenniswomen, Venus and Serena, in King Richard, added that he had “betrayed the trust of the Academy” and that he had “broken heart” by his actions. The 53 year old man “would fully accept all consequences of my conduct”. His resignation means he will not be able to vote for future Oscar voters.
And this Friday, April 8, the father of Jaden and Willow is now banned from any Oscar ceremony for ten years, said the Academy of Oscars. She said the event was “overshadowed by the unacceptable and damaging behavior we saw Mr. Smith exhibit on stage”. This prohibition would aim to protect performers and guests and to “restore confidence in the Academy”.
The Academy’s board of directors, which includes stars like Steven Spielberg and Whoopi Goldberg, began disciplinary proceedings against the actor last week. This procedure could go as far as the suspension or expulsion of the actor and producer from the Academy, which has nearly 10,000 members. Before Will Smith, four members had been expelled from the Academy: producer Harvey Weinstein, actor Bill Cosby, director Roman Polanski and cinematographer Adam Kimmel.
See also: “I wanted Jada to look at me as she looked at him”: this inferiority complex that Will Smith suffers from because of 2Pac
Adam Javal-Fauconnier