Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Janet Yang told nominees gathered at the annual Oscar Nominees Luncheon Monday that the organization’s response to Will Smith’s slap at last year’s Oscars was insufficient.
Yang made the comments during the event’s keynote this afternoon at the Beverly Hilton.
“I’m sure you all remember that we experienced an unprecedented event at the Oscars“, she told the band. “What happened on stage was completely unacceptable and our organization’s response was inadequate. We learned from this that the Academy must be fully transparent and accountable in its actions, and especially in times of crisis, you must act quickly, compassionately and decisively for ourselves and our industry. You should and can expect nothing less from us in the future.
The Oscars telecast took place on March 27. The Academy’s Board of Governors voted April 8 to give Smith a 10-year ban to attend the Oscars – and had to increase that vote after Smith voluntarily resigned from the organization the previous week.
“The Board has determined, for a period of 10 years beginning April 8, 2022, that Mr. Smith will not be permitted to attend any Academy events or programs, in person or virtually, including, but without s ‘Limit it, the Oscars,’ then-AMPAS President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson said at the time of Smith’s “unacceptable and harmful behavior.”
They added, “We also hope this can begin a period of healing and restoration for everyone involved and impacted.”
Today’s lunch drew the majority of this year’s Oscar nominees, including Steven Spielberg, Roger Deakins, Jerry Bruckheimer, Tom Cruise, Michelle Williams, Sarah Polley, Rian Johnson, Mary Zophres, Diane Warren, Brendan Fraser, Hong Chau, Austin Butler and Paul Mescal.