In a statement, it said banning Smith was aimed at protecting performers and guests and "restoring trust in the Academy". The Academy said that directly after the slap it did not "adequately ...

Will Smith reportedly "still hates" Chris Rock since the well-known Oscars Slap moment. A source claimed to In Touch that ...

and it was reported that he joked backstage after the slap: "That's the only time you get hit by Muhammad Ali and it doesn't leave a scratch," referring to Smith's role in the boxer's biopic.