Academy President Janet Yang has suggested relaxing some toughness against Will Smith after the slapgate controversy.
Talk to Hollywood journalist, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Yang said the Emancipation The Oscar star statue can have his nameplate engraved as the Smith missed the Governors Ball last year, where nameplates are attached to awards after the ceremony actor failed to attend the Governors Ball governors after the ceremony last year.
“He won the Oscar,” Yang continued. “He should have his name engraved on it. I don’t know if he should come personally. But yes, we can arrange it.”
Yang also opened up about his initial reaction to Smith’s attack on Chris Rock, “Really, we were numb. Like everyone, at first when Will comes on stage, we’re like, ‘Oh, this is kinda funny. He’ll pretend to slap him, and then Chris will act dumbfounded.
And then it was like, ‘Okay, well, that’s over.’ And then he goes back to his seat, and then he starts screaming — that’s when, of course, everyone said, ‘Oh my God, this is real.'”
In response to Smith’s slap, the Academy imposed a 10-year ban on the actor from all events.