The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Board of Governors has voted to bar Smith from all Academy events, including the Oscars, for ten years.

Following a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head, the actor punched Chris Rock onstage during the Oscars event last month. Smith resigned from the Academy after several apologies for the incident, calling his actions “shocked, hurtful, and unacceptable.”

The Academy issued a fresh statement in which it pondered on Smith’s actions, complimented Rock’s “comfort,” and urged for “a time of healing and repair for those involved and impacted” (per Variety). The Academy’s complete statement is available below:

“The 94th Academy Awards were supposed to be a celebration of the many individuals in our community who performed wonderful work this past year; instead, Mr. Smith’s rude and harmful behaviour on stage overshadowed those moments.”

“We did not appropriately address the issue in the room during our telecast.” We apologise about this. This was a moment for us to set a good example for our guests, spectators, and Academy family throughout the world, and we failed because we were unprepared for the unprecedented.

“Today, in addition to receiving Will Smith’s resignation, the Board of Governors scheduled a meeting to consider how best to respond to his behaviour at the Oscars.” The Board of Directors has agreed that for a period of ten years from April 8, 2022, Mr. Smith will be barred from attending any Academy activities or programmes, in person or digitally, including but not limited to the Academy Awards.
“We want to express our heartfelt appreciation to Mr. Rock for being cool in the face of hardship.”

We would also want to thank our hosts, nominees, presenters, and winners for their poise and grace during the show.

“Today’s decision in reaction to Will Smith’s behaviour is a step toward a wider aim of ensuring the safety of our performers and guests and restoring trust in the Academy.” We also hope that today will mark the start of a period of healing and rehabilitation for everyone engaged and touched.”

Smith, who resigned from the Academy last week due to the scandal, issued a statement immediately after, saying, “I accept and appreciate the Academy’s decision.”

Despite certain industry heavyweights’ requests for Smith’s Oscar — which he won on the same night for his performance in King Richard – to be revoked, including one of Chris Rock’s brothers, the Oscars have no legal authority to do so