To Prevent Another “Will Smith Slap,” The Academy Forms An Oscars ‘Crisis Team’
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS)
In an interview with Time Magazine, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) CEO Bill Kramer acknowledged that the organization had developed a new "crisis squad" for the upcoming 2023 Oscars to quickly manage any potential real-time emergency. The formation of a crisis team is in response to Will Smith's infamous slap of presenter Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars. Janet Yang, the Academy's president, had stated that the organization's response to the incident was inadequate.
Referencing Will Smith’s actions, Kramer explains this team has developed plans to gather and respond swiftly through crisis communication teams and practiced scenarios. Despite the assurances, Kramer reiterates how he hopes something like the 2022 Oscars doesn’t happen and the team isn’t deployed.
Smith smacked Rock during the best documentary feature category presentation at the 2022 Oscars. The violent action occurred when Rock made a controversial remark about Jada Pinkett Smith's bald head, which she shaved after being diagnosed with alopecia. Smith returned to his seat after the slap and spat expletives at Rock. Smith remained in attendance when he got the best actor Oscar for his role in King Richard, which sparked debate among fans and the Academy.
After the 2022 Oscars aired on March 27, 2022, Smith resigned from the Academy on April 1, 2022, writing in a statement, “I betrayed the trust of the Academy. I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. I am heartbroken.” Notwithstanding Smith's announcement, the AMPAS sparked even more outrage when it took several days to declare that it was canceling Smith's AMPAS membership and prohibiting him from attending the Oscars ceremonies for ten years.
AMPAS president Janet Yang made a statement at the 2023 Oscar nominees' luncheon where she explained how the organization messed up by taking too long to respond to the slap. It appears that the new crisis team will respond in real time if any crises arise at the 2023 Oscars. The Oscars 2023 will be held on March 12, 2023.