In the aftermath of the infamous Oscars slap, Smith is fighting for redemption, hoping that his recent box office triumph could help get his 10-year Oscars ban lifted.
- July 11, 2024
AceShowbiz - Will Smith is reportedly exploring the possibility of lifting his 10-year ban from the Academy Awards, imposed after his infamous slap of Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars. A source close to Smith told In Touch that the actor believes his box office success, along with his public apologies, should be considered in the decision.
Smith received the lengthy suspension from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences after storming the Oscars stage and slapping Rock, who had made an insensitive joke about Smith's wife Jada Pinkett Smith. Despite resigning from the Academy shortly after the incident, Smith was still handed down the decade-long ban.
According to the source, Smith's supporters are highlighting his box office success, with "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" being a major hit. They argue that "Will is selling tickets and putting butts in seats at a time when the whole business is struggling." They believe this impact on the industry should weigh heavily in the Academy's decision.
However, the source also acknowledged that there are still Academy members who believe Smith's actions warranted a more severe punishment. Additionally, Chris Rock remains "rightfully still very upset about the incident" and has not forgiven Smith.
The source suggested that a public reconciliation between Smith and Rock could be a turning point in the Academy's decision. "The moment everybody is waiting for is for Chris and Will to publicly and genuinely bury the hatchet," they said. As of now, there has been no official confirmation or denial from the Academy regarding the ban's status.
