Smith stormed the stage and slapped Chris Rock in response to the comedian's G.I. Jane joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, who suffers from alopecia, and returned to his seat and shouted obscenities. The Academy responded by banning Will Smith from attending the Oscars ceremony, and any related events, for the next 10 years.

Now, three years later, Will Smith reflected on his 10-year Oscar ban during a recent interview with the Associated Press. Asked if he is looking to appeal the ban or ride it out, Smith said he is simply "looking to be the best human [he] can possibly be." Read his full response or watch the video below:

I am looking to be the best human I can possibly be, and I'm going to take what I get with that.

What Will Smith's Comments Mean For His 10-Year Oscar Ban

He Continues To Say The Right Thing

Though physically assaulting Chris Rock in response to a joke is largely indefensible, Will Smith has mostly been apologetic and reflective following the incident. Though he failed to apologize during his Oscar acceptance speech, instead saying "love will make you do crazy things," Smith swiftly resigned from the Academy and eventually apologized to Rock, acknowledging his mistake and accepting full responsibility. However, the Academy still did its due diligence by banning Smith from the Oscars for 10 years. As it stands, his ban will end in 2032.

Since the slap, Smith has been apologetic and reflective at every turn. As a result, Hollywood and audiences at large have already begun to embrace him once again. Though there were some questions about how the slap would impact Smith's career, Bad Boy: Ride or Die was a big box office success, grossing over $400 million in 2024. Smith also has several movies lined up, such as I Am Legend 2, Michael Bay's Fast and Loose, and more.

Our Take On Will Smith's 10-Year Oscar Ban

Could The Academy Lift The Ban Early?

As Smith continues to be apologetic and reflective in the three years since the slap, it's possible that the Academy could lift his ban early due to good behavior, of sorts. There is a somewhat similar precedent for this, as Richard Gere was banned from presenting at the Oscars for 20 years for calling out Chinese Communist Party leader Deng Xiaoping in 1993. While Gere was barred from presenting, he was still able to attend later on as a guest. In turn, it's questionable that Will Smith's ban will hold up for 10 years.

Source: Associated Press