Commentary
The 94th Academy Awards have been over for two weeks, yet Will Smith’s slapping host Chris Rock remains one of the top news stories. It is proof of this story’s penetration that the controversial Oscars moment has remained at the top of the headlines amid news of an ongoing pandemic, war in Ukraine, national inflation, numerous contentious political issues, and the appointment of a controversial Supreme Court Justice. Every day, there has been a new celebrity statement, conspiracy theory, expert opinion, or update about the aftermath to keep the story alive.
Amid all the conjecture, the only concrete steps taken since the infamous event have been Will Smith’s resignation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) on April 1 and his subsequent ban from the Academy for ten years, which was announced on April 8. Perhaps that decision will mean the end of the news flurry for a while, but the media will inevitably continue obsessing over Will Smith’s upcoming projects, social life, and family matters in the weeks and months to come. It may not be good press, but the publicity arising from sparking one of the most memorable events in Oscars history has made Smith one of today’s most discussed celebrities.
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