Editing Will Smith (section)

==== 2022 Oscars incident ====
{{Main|Chris Rock–Will Smith slapping incident}}
{{further|94th Academy Awards}}

During the [[94th Academy Awards]] on March 27, 2022, Smith walked onstage and slapped presenter and comedian [[Chris Rock]] who had made a joke about his wife [[Jada Pinkett Smith]]'s shaved head<ref name="Alopecia">{{cite web |last=Bellamy |first=Claretta |date=January 7, 2022 |title=How Jada Pinkett Smith is uplifting Black women with alopecia |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/jada-pinkett-smith-uplifting-black-women-alopecia-rcna11273 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328034022/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/jada-pinkett-smith-uplifting-black-women-alopecia-rcna11273 |archive-date=March 28, 2022 |publisher=[[NBC News]] |access-date=March 28, 2022}}</ref> with a reference to the main protagonist in the film ''[[G.I. Jane]]''. Smith then returned to his seat and yelled at Rock, twice saying "Keep my wife's name out your fucking mouth!"<ref>{{cite news |title=Watch the uncensored moment Will Smith smacks Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars, drops F-bomb | date=March 27, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myjEoDypUD8 |via=YouTube |publisher=[[The Guardian|Guardian News]] |access-date=March 28, 2022 |archive-date=March 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329060337/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myjEoDypUD8 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Will Smith slaps Chris Rock at the Oscars after joke at wife Jada Pinkett Smith's expense |author=ABC7 |date=March 27, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d7VvQcWscY |via=YouTube |access-date=March 28, 2022 |archive-date=March 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329034929/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d7VvQcWscY |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Respers |first1=Lisa France |last2=Elam |first2=Stephanie |date=March 27, 2022 |title=Will Smith appeared to strike Chris Rock on Oscars telecast |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/27/entertainment/will-smith-chris-rock/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328064453/https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/27/entertainment/will-smith-chris-rock/index.html |archive-date=March 28, 2022 |access-date=March 28, 2022 |publisher=[[CNN]]}}</ref> Pinkett Smith had been diagnosed with [[alopecia areata]] in 2018 and would later shave her head due to the condition.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Richards |first=Kimberley |date=December 29, 2021 |title=Jada Pinkett Smith Shares Update On Her Journey With Alopecia |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jada-pinkett-smith-alopecia-update-hair-loss_n_61ccb8eee4b0c7d8b8a0f8f4 |publisher=[[HuffPost]] |access-date=April 9, 2022 |archive-date=April 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409085327/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jada-pinkett-smith-alopecia-update-hair-loss_n_61ccb8eee4b0c7d8b8a0f8f4 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Stevens |first=Matt |date=March 28, 2022 |title=Will Smith hits Chris Rock after joke about his wife, Jada. |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/27/movies/will-smith-chris-rock-oscars.html |url-status=live |access-date=March 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328181037/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/27/movies/will-smith-chris-rock-oscars.html |archive-date=March 28, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The [[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]] (AMPAS) said that Smith was asked to leave the ceremony but he refused.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sperling|first1=Nicole|last2=Jacobs|first2=Julia|date=March 30, 2022|title=Will Smith Refused to Leave Oscars After Slap, Academy Says|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/30/movies/will-smith-chris-rock-slap-oscars.html|url-status=bot: unknown|newspaper=The New York Times|location=Los Angeles|publication-place=New York City|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331001652/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/30/movies/will-smith-chris-rock-slap-oscars.html|archive-date=March 31, 2022|access-date=March 31, 2022|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Later in the night, Smith was named [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] for ''[[King Richard (film)|King Richard]]'' and apologized to the Academy and the other nominees, but not to Rock, in his acceptance speech.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gajewski |first=Ryan |date=March 28, 2022 |title=Will Smith Tearfully Apologizes to Academy After Chris Rock Oscars Slap |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/will-smith-oscar-best-actor-apology-slap-king-richard-1235119288/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328051847/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/will-smith-oscar-best-actor-apology-slap-king-richard-1235119288/ |archive-date=March 28, 2022 |access-date=March 28, 2022 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Arkin |first=Daniel |date=March 27, 2022 |title=Will Smith appeared to hit Chris Rock at the Oscars over joke about Jada Pinkett Smith |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/will-smith-appears-hit-chris-rock-joke-wife-rcna21775 |access-date=March 28, 2022 |publisher=[[NBC News]] |archive-date=March 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329075609/https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/will-smith-appears-hit-chris-rock-joke-wife-rcna21775 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Whelan |first=Robbie |date=March 27, 2022 |title=Will Smith Takes to Oscar Stage, Appears to Strike Chris Rock After Joke About Jada Pinkett Smith |newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/oscars-academy-awards-2022/card/will-smith-takes-to-oscar-stage-appears-to-strike-chris-rock-after-joke-about-jada-pinkett-smith-20Zr7QDygQqZ31fHDlCT |access-date=March 28, 2022 |archive-date=March 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329075610/https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/oscars-academy-awards-2022/card/will-smith-takes-to-oscar-stage-appears-to-strike-chris-rock-after-joke-about-jada-pinkett-smith-20Zr7QDygQqZ31fHDlCT |url-status=live }}</ref> The live audience gave Smith two standing ovations. Smith remained at the ceremony until its conclusion and participated in the celebrations later that evening.<ref>Yevgeny Kuklychev, "Fact Check: Did Will Smith Receive a Standing Ovation at the Oscars?" ''Newsweek'', March 28, 2022, updated March 29, 2022, [https://www.newsweek.com/fact-check-did-will-smith-receive-standing-ovation-oscars-1692481 newsweek.com].</ref> Following public backlash, Smith issued a formal apology via a public [[Instagram]] post.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Shafer |first1=Ellise |date=March 28, 2022 |title=Will Smith Apologizes to Chris Rock for Oscars Slap: 'I Was Out of Line and I Was Wrong' |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/will-smith-apologizes-chris-rock-slap-oscars-statement-1235216526/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328235719/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/will-smith-apologizes-chris-rock-slap-oscars-statement-1235216526/ |archive-date=March 28, 2022 |access-date=March 28, 2022 |magazine=Variety}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Arkin |first1=Daniel |title=Will Smith apologizes to Chris Rock for slapping him at the Academy Awards |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/awards/will-smith-apologizes-chris-rock-slapping-academy-awards-rcna21925 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329075611/https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/awards/will-smith-apologizes-chris-rock-slapping-academy-awards-rcna21925 |archive-date=March 29, 2022 |access-date=March 28, 2022 |publisher=NBC News |date=March 28, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> [[ABC News (United States)|ABC]], AMPAS, and the [[Screen Actors Guild]] condemned Smith following the incident, prompting an investigation by the Academy's Board of Governors.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2022-03-29/will-smith-apology-whoopi-goldberg-academy-consequences|title= Film academy governor Whoopi Goldberg: 'Nobody is OK with what happened' with Smith|newspaper= [[Los Angeles Times]]|date= March 29, 2022|access-date= March 30, 2022|archive-date= March 31, 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220331010936/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2022-03-29/will-smith-apology-whoopi-goldberg-academy-consequences|url-status= live}}</ref> Rock declined to press charges against Smith, according to the [[Los Angeles Police Department]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yeo |first=Amanda |date=March 28, 2022 |title=Chris Rock won't press charges against Will Smith for that Oscars slap |url=https://mashable.com/article/chris-rock-will-smith-oscars-charges |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329075610/https://mashable.com/article/chris-rock-will-smith-oscars-charges |archive-date=March 29, 2022 |access-date=March 28, 2022 |website=[[Mashable]] |language=en}}</ref> On April 1, 2022, Smith tendered his resignation from the Academy, writing in part:

<blockquote>I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. I am heartbroken. I want to put the focus back on those who deserve attention for their achievements and allow the Academy to get back to the incredible work it does to support creativity and artistry in film. 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.</blockquote>

The AMPAS President [[David Rubin (casting director)|David Rubin]] accepted the resignation in an official statement but said they would continue their investigation.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Will Smith resigns from Academy after Oscars slap |url=https://news.yahoo.com/smith-resigns-academy-oscars-slap-013500762.html |access-date=April 2, 2022 |work=Yahoo News |date=April 2, 2022 |archive-date=April 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402022750/https://news.yahoo.com/smith-resigns-academy-oscars-slap-013500762.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Smith's resignation means he is no longer able to vote on Oscar nominations as a member of the Academy.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Tangcay |first1=Jazz |date=April 2, 2022 |title=Here's What Will Smith's Resignation From the Academy Means |url=https://variety.com/2022/awards/news/will-smith-resignation-academy-what-it-means-1235221516/ |access-date=April 2, 2022 |magazine=Variety |archive-date=April 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402135534/https://variety.com/2022/awards/news/will-smith-resignation-academy-what-it-means-1235221516/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Commentators have speculated that Smith's resignation from the Academy and other related fallout from the slap would damage his "family brand".<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Ryzik |first1=Melena |last2=Sperling |first2=Nicole |last3=Stevens |first3=Matt |date=April 2, 2022 |title=A Slap Could Sting the Smith Family Brand |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/02/movies/will-smith-family-oscars-slap.html |access-date=April 2, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403012847/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/02/movies/will-smith-family-oscars-slap.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On April 8, 2022, the Academy announced its decision to ban Smith from future Oscars galas and associated events for 10 years.<ref name="Banned">{{Cite news |date=April 8, 2022 |title=Will Smith banned from Oscars for 10 years over slap |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-61018821 |access-date=April 8, 2022 |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408190911/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-61018821 |url-status=live }}</ref> Several film projects that Smith had been involved in were put on hold as a result of the controversy.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Kreps |first1=Daniel |date=April 3, 2022 |title=Will Smith's Upcoming Film Projects Reportedly Paused in Aftermath of Oscars Slap |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-news/will-smith-upcoming-films-paused-oscars-slap-1331829/ |access-date=April 8, 2022 |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-date=April 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404072450/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-news/will-smith-upcoming-films-paused-oscars-slap-1331829/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In a statement to CNN, Smith stated: "I accept and respect the Academy's decision".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/08/entertainment/will-smith-academy-sanctions-decision/index.html|title=Actor Will Smith banned from attending Oscars for 10 years|work=[[CNN]]|date=April 8, 2022|access-date=April 11, 2022|archive-date=April 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411082016/https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/08/entertainment/will-smith-academy-sanctions-decision/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 25, 2022 |title=Ricardo P Lloyd {{!}} Why I am so over the Will Smith Oscar Incident! |url=https://www.thestudentpocketguide.com/2022/04/entertainment/film/ricardo-p-lloyd-will-smith-oscar-incident/ |access-date=April 25, 2022 |website=Student Pocket Guide {{!}} UK Student Magazine |archive-date=April 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425130441/https://www.thestudentpocketguide.com/2022/04/entertainment/film/ricardo-p-lloyd-will-smith-oscar-incident/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Smith offered an on camera apology on July 29, saying he was "deeply remorseful" for his actions.<ref name="Deadline">{{cite web |title=Will Smith Breaks Silence: "Deeply Remorseful" For Oscar Slap |date=July 29, 2022 |url=https://deadline.com/2022/07/will-smith-breaks-silence-deeply-remorseful-for-oscar-slap-1235081101/ |publisher=Deadline |access-date=July 29, 2022 |archive-date=August 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807102838/https://deadline.com/2022/07/will-smith-breaks-silence-deeply-remorseful-for-oscar-slap-1235081101/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

As a result of the incident, Netflix cancelled production on an action film that was set to star Smith titled ''Fast and Loose.''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/netflix-halts-will-smith-movie-fast-and-loose-1234713775/|title=Netflix Halts Development of Will Smith Movie 'Fast and Loose' — Report|first=Christian|last=Zilko|date=April 2, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/will-smith-netflix-movie-1235123901-1235123901/|title=Netflix Backs Away From Will Smith Film 'Fast and Loose' (Exclusive)|first=Kim|last=Masters|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=April 2, 2022}}</ref> In December 2022, ''Emancipation'' was released to mixed reviews and was a commercial failure. Producer [[Todd Black]] partially attributed the failure to Smith's involvement following the Oscar incident.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldofreel.com/blog/2023/8/30/jjbh09n8kbcfipxkv3hs88sfeq24xc.‘Emancipation’|title=Producer Says the Film "Didn't Get A Fair Shake"}}</ref>