Watch here: Will Smith punches Chris Rock in the face at the Oscars
50 Cent is one of the first celebrities to speak out about the Academy’s decision. The board of directors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences met Friday to consider sanctions against Will Smith after the actor punched Chris Rock at the Oscars on March 27. In the meantime, the verdict has already been announced. Will Smith will not be allowed to attend the Academy Awards for the next 10 years. “The Board has resolved that, for a period of 10 years beginning April 8, 2022, Mr. Smith may not attend any Academy events or programs, in person or virtually, including but not limited to the Academy Awards,” said Academy President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson in a statement.
Curtis Jackson, the real name of 50 Cent, meanwhile responded on Twitter. “This is really too strict,” it sounds clear. “So he can’t come back until he’s 63 years old?” The American rapper is not the only celebrity to have responded to the news. Meanwhile, the comedian Ricky Gervais also made himself heard. He joked on social media about the Academy’s decision. “Provided good behavior they might keep it at six years,” it sounded there. In addition, Piers Morgan also responded to the ruling. “The decision comes 12 days after he punched Chris Rock in the face. That same Academy took 40 years to banish Roman Polanski after he was convicted of raping a minor.”
Will Smith himself indicates that he is at peace with his Oscar ban. Smith gave a quick, concise statement about his ban from the Oscars for the next ten years: “I accept and respect the decision of the Academy,” the actor said in a statement to CNN.