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More predictions about what the Academy might do in the wake of Will Smith's on-stage slap at Sunday's (March 27) Oscars continue to come in. This time, insiders say the King Richard star may lose out on nominations in 2023.
According to Puck News' Matt Belloni, members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences are "very upset" at Will Smith for walking on stage and slapping Chris Rock who was presenting the award for Best Documentary and referenced Jada Pinkett-Smith's hair.
"The [Academy] members I've spoken to are just appalled that this took place on the Oscar stage," Belloni said Tuesday (March 29) on the Today Show. "There will be a punishment. I don't think they will take away his Oscar ... that is for [King Richard], for the work he's already done," Belloni added.
"But I would not be surprised if they suspend him for a year, six months –– really give him a public lashing, so to speak, where he will feel something and not be able to get a nomination for a movie that he has coming out last year," the journalist continued –– referencing a form of violence enslaved Black people were subjected to for centuries.
According to the insider sources, the year-long ban would man that Will's role in his upcoming film Emancipation would not be eligible for an Oscar nomination. Will released an apology Monday afternoon (March 28), calling "violence in all of its forms poisonous and destructive."
"My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally," the actor added.
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