Though it feels like just yesterday, it's been nearly a year since Will Smith infamously slapped Chris Rock onstage at last year's Academy Awards. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Smith, nor his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, were spotted at tonight's ceremony.
The couple had no Oscar nominations to contend with at this year's event, so their attendance wasn't necessary. The Board of Governors for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences also banned Smith from all Academy events for the next 10 years, so we can probably not expect to see Smith at the Oscars again any time soon.
"The Board has decided, for a period of 10 years from April 8, 2022, Mr. Smith shall not be permitted to attend any Academy events or programs, in person or virtually, including but not limited to the Academy Awards," the Academy said in a statement last year, as Smith and Rock continued to navigate the public frenzy over the slap.
Prior to the board's decision, Smith announced that he would be resigning from the Academy.
"I have directly responded to the Academy's disciplinary hearing notice, and I will fully accept any and all consequences for my conduct," he said in a statement. "So, I am resigning from membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and will accept any further consequences the Board deems appropriate. Change takes time and I am committed to doing the work to ensure that I never again allow violence to overtake reason."
Last year, Smith slapped Rock during the live televised show after the comedian made a joke about Pinkett Smith's shaved head, which is the result of her alopecia diagnosis. He has since apologized for the incident.
Meanwhile, Rock has broken his silence on the slap, mocking the couple during a new Netflix stand-up special released earlier this month.
