Will Smith Responds To 10-Year Ban From Oscars—21 Reactions

On Friday, Will Smith said he accepted the decision the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made to ban him from attending the Oscars ceremony for 10 years. That was the repercussion they ultimately deemed appropriate for slapping host Chris Rock on air over a joke the comedian made at the expense of Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

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“Can’t wait for G.I. Jane 2.,” Rock said to Jada, who has talked openly about her struggle with alopecia, an auto-immune condition that causes hair loss.

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“The Board has decided, 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,” Academy President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson said in a statement on Friday, CNN reports.

“I accept and respect the Academy’s decision,” Smith said in a response statement.

The Academy sent an open letter to Insider to say that the punishment is “a step toward a larger goal of protecting the safety of our performers and guests, and restoring trust in the Academy.” 

It seems pretty unlikely that slapping the Oscars’ host would become a trend, but if Will Smith accepts it, so must we. Online, though, difference of opinion is more important than basic communication and people rushed to Twitter to respond. Here are some thoughts from the people not involved:

1.

Will Smith got banned from the Oscars for doing a thing I’ve always wanted to do: physically attack a comedian for just making a reference instead of saying a joke

— Mike Abrusci (@mikeabrusci) April 9, 2022

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I’m sorry but I can’t get over the fact that Will Smith got a harsher punishment than the people who tried to carry out a fucking coup

— Santiago Mayer (@santiagomayer_) April 9, 2022

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4.

Will Smith has been dealt more consequences than all these folks:

– many people who stormed the capitol
– the people who tried to kidnap the governor of Michigan.
– rapist Roman Polanski
– rapist Woody Allen
– 100s of killer cops
– soooo many abusers

— Sam White (@samwhiteout) April 8, 2022

5.

Okay so Will Smith is banned from the Oscars for ten years but I can NEVER go back to ANY Cracker Barrel?

— Cody Johnston (@drmistercody) April 9, 2022

6.

They’re talking about that Will Smith slap longer than they talked about Dick Cheney shooting his friend in the face

— “5 Characteristics of Neoimperialism” – Cheng & Lu (@hermit_hwarang) April 9, 2022

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9.

Will Smith is receiving harsher punishment than the people who incited a deadly insurrection.

— Lance Cooper (@lmauricecpr) April 9, 2022

10.

Will Smith doesn’t have to go to the Academy Awards for 10 years after he slapped Chris Rock. What’s second prize?

— Miranda Devine (@mirandadevine) April 8, 2022

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*First Published: April 9, 2022, 10:34 am