Will Smith

Here's a look at the fallout from last year's Oscars, when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock onstage.

(“We want to move forward and to have an Oscars that celebrates cinema.”) But the Oscars host, Jimmy Kimmel, doesn’t seem to have gotten the message. “We learned from this that the academy must be fully transparent and accountable in our actions, and particularly in times of crisis, we must act swiftly, compassionately and decisively.” And the spot, a spoof of “Top Gun: Maverick,” explains that ABC was intent on finding an M.C. “Emancipation”: This slave drama starring Will Smith was expected to be a strong Oscar contender this year — until the Slap greatly clouded its prospects. (For a fascinating perspective also delivered via standup comedy, try [Marlon Wayans’s new HBO Max special](https://www.hbomax.com/feature/urn:hbo:feature:GY_NWrwrSw6XCwgEAAAI_), which is all about the Slap from the point of view of an artist who has known the Smiths and Rock for decades.) “It was inadequate,” said Janet Yang, the academy president. She has made a few comments over the past several months on social media but did not address the joke itself. The academy is not Hollywood, and in the industry Smith’s career continues to roll on. [ Rock was clearly ready to talk](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/05/arts/chris-rock-netflix-oscars-slap.html) on his livestreamed Netflix special Saturday night. As for a direct conversation between Smith and Rock, the actor noted he had been told the comedian wasn’t ready to talk. At a standup show a few days later, he told a sold-out crowd, “I’m still kind of processing what happened.” Fast-forward nearly a year and Then again, it has set up a crisis team to deal with any unexpected developments at the ceremony, proof that the incident continues to cast a long shadow.

Chastain won best actress last year for “The Eyes of Tammy Faye.” Last year's winners for best supporting actor and actress, Troy Kotsur (“Coda”) and Ariana ...

After the slap, Smith returned to his seat and repeatedly screamed at Rock, “Keep my wife’s name out your fucking mouth!” The ceremony continued with Smith remaining in attendance as he won the best actor Oscar for his performance in “King Richard.” Jodie Foster and Jennifer Lawrence teamed up to present best actress at the 2018 Oscars to Frances McDormand (“”Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”) in place of Casey Affleck, whose 2017 best actor win for best actor with “Manchester by the Sea” ignited controversy due to harassment allegations against him. Jackson, Uma Thurman and John Travolta, who presented the category in place of 2021 best actress winner Frances McDormand (“Nomadland”). [Will Smith](https://variety.com/t/will-smith/) banned from attending the 94th Academy Awards after slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 ceremony, all eyes were on who the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences would select to present this year’s best actress category. Robin Williams presented best supporting actress at the 2010 Smith had already resigned from the Academy prior to the ban announcement, with the organization then accepting his resignation.

It's been a year since the incident, but it was far from forgotten at this year's ceremony.

[Smith is banned from attending the Academy Awards](https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/04/will-smith-banned-from-oscars-awards-insider) ceremony for 10 years as a result. Academy president [Janet Yang told Vanity Fair that this year’s would be a “slap-free” show,](https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/03/janet-yang-oscars-awards-insider) but there’s no telling how long we’ll be referencing the shocking moment. At the [Oscars 2023](https://www.vanityfair.com/live/oscars-2023-live-updates) ceremony, a year later, the slap is far from forgotten. [Vanity Fair Oscar Party](https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/photos/2023/03/photos-inside-2023-vf-oscar-party?itm_content=footer-recirc&itm_campaign=more-great-stories-oscars-2023) [Vanity Fair Oscar Party](https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/03/how-to-watch-2023-vanity-fair-oscar-party?itm_content=footer-recirc&itm_campaign=more-great-stories-022723) [Oscars 2023 Live Updates:](https://www.vanityfair.com/live/oscars-2023-live-updates?itm_content=footer-recirc&itm_campaign=more-great-stories-oscars-2023)Everything You Need to Know [Will Smith slapping Chris Rock](https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/03/will-smith-chris-rock-oscars) onstage after Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

'If anyone in this theater commits an act of violence at any point during this show, you will be awarded the Oscar for Best Actor.'

before you get to me.” ( [Pedro Pascal](http://tvinsider.com/people/pedro-pascal)) “You’re going to have to tangle with Spider-Man.” ( [Andrew Garfield](http://tvinsider.com/people/andrew-garfield) shrugs.) “You’re going to have to tangle with Fabelman. Jordan](http://tvinsider.com/people/michael-b-jordan)) “You’re going to have to do battle with [Michelle Yeoh](http://tvinsider.com/people/michelle-yeoh) before you get to me. You’re going to have to get through the heavyweight champ Adonis Creed before you get to me,” ( But what did you think of how Kimmel addressed the slap in his opening monologue? Please put your hands together and then keep them to yourself for Oscar winners Riz Ahmed and Ahmir ‘Questlove’ Thompson.” We have no time for shenanigans. [awarded the Oscar for Best Actor](https://www.tvinsider.com/1038166/will-smith-oscars-2022-acceptance-speech-chris-rock-slap/) and permitted to give a 19-minute long speech. Kimmel insisted, “there will be no nonsense tonight. There are a few of my friends you’re going to have to get through first. [Top Gun: Maverick](http://tvinsider.com/show/top-gun-maverick), the host “parachuted” down onto the stage for his opening monologue. We want you to feel safe. And most important, we want me to feel safe.

Academy Awards host Jimmy Kimmel spent part of his opening monologue on Sunday cracking jokes about—what else?—Will Smith slapping Chris Rock last year, ...

Smith resigned as a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and was barred from attending the group’s events for the next 10 years. He was not escorted from the ceremony, and was allowed to accept an Oscar for Best Actor moments later. Smith yelled at Rock, and then got on stage and slapped him.

After Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars, the star has been banned from Academy events for the next 10 years.

Academy president Janet Yang [previously said](https://variety.com/2023/film/news/oscars-response-will-smith-slap-inadequate-not-swift-enough-1235521739/) the group’s response to the incident was not swift enough. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be,” Smith wrote. Smith is not nominated for any awards at the 2023 Oscars and has kept a relatively low profile in months following the slap. Smith also pre-emptively resigned from the Academy in the days prior to his barring, later saying “I accept and respect the Academy’s decision.” “Love makes you do crazy things,” he said, and also tearfully added: “I want to apologize to the Academy. “I tried to call the motherfucker. I tried to call that man and give him my condolences. Moments after the incident with Rock, Smith returned to the stage to accept his first-ever acting Oscar win. As a result, Smith is not expected to attend the 95th annual [Oscars](https://variety.com/t/oscars/) ceremony on Sunday night. Pinkett Smith had spoken publicly about her struggles with hair loss due to alopecia, though Rock claimed he did not know about the illness when he quipped, “Jada, I love you. “Avatar: The Way of Water” director James Cameron is also skipping the ceremony. After a very carefully curated series of stops during awards season, Cruise bows out on the final evening.