Will Smith Responds After Academy Bans Him from Attending Oscars Until 2032 Over Chris Rock Slap 

Will Smith has been banned from all Academy events for tens years. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ board of governors decided to ban him from Oscars ceremonies and other Academy events for the next 10 years after he struck Chris Rock onstage during last month’s award show. 

The 53-year-old Best Actor winner responded,
“I accept and respect the Academy’s decision,” Smith said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. 

The Academy determined 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,” per a letter sent by Academy President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson and obtained by PEOPLE.

“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 the unacceptable and harmful behavior we saw Mr. Smith exhibit on stage,” they wrote.