In spite of Hollywood star Will Smith having apologised to actor Chris Rock for having slapped him on stage while the latter was compering the recent Oscar Awards function, the slap has resulted in Smith being banned from the Oscars gala and other Academy events for 10 years. In a statement, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said, the 94th Oscars had been “overshadowed by the unacceptable and harmful behaviour we saw Mr. Smith exhibit on stage”. Earlier, Smith resigned from the Academy, besides apologising to the public and to Chris.
Will Smith slapped Rock for joking about his wife’s shaved head which was warranted due to a hair loss condition she was suffering from. It may be mentioned here that less than an hour after the slapping incident, Smith was given the best actor award at the same event for his role in King Richard.