Cohen
Hellhound
They say that AMPAS heads Rubin and CEO Hudsonrather gently suggested to Smith’s longtime rep Meredith O’Sullivan backstage that the actor leave the Dolby. Even before the likes of Denzel Washington and Tyler Perry consoled Smith, the then Best Actor nominee’s rep passed the request on to him. Perhaps not capturing the severity of the moment, Smith supposedly said he wanted to stay, to say sorry and that was that.
He was actually not instructed to leave. It was a suggestion. That’s not taking control of the situation. They failed miserably at handling this. To begin with, no audience member should go towards the stage unless they are accepting an award or presenting an award. When Will got up, all they did was allow the cameras to follow him. An usher should have stopped him. But even then, following the altercation, he should have been immediately escorted out of the theater to a private area to determine appropriate next steps.
Will Smith Banned From Oscars For 10 Years; “Accept & Respect …Decision,” Actor Says – Update
The AMPAS brass have finally handed down their punishment of the King Richard star, sort of