In a stunning twist, Jessica Chastain and Halle Berry introduced the Academy Award for Greatest Actress on the 2023 Oscars tonight, changing Will Smith who didn’t attend the present. Historically, the Greatest Actor winner on the ongoing Oscars then awards the next yr’s Greatest Actress Oscar, however the Academy needed to discover a alternative as a result of Will was banned from the occasion for 10 years.
Jessica and Halle took the stage to announce the nominees (Cate Blanchett for retailer, Ana de Armas for BlondAndrea Riseborough for To LesleyMichelle Williams for The Fablesand Michelle Yeoh Every little thing In all places Every little thing without delay) and so they additionally pulled double responsibility. Not solely did they current Michelle Yeoh with the Greatest Actress award, however additionally they introduced Greatest Actor to winner Brendan Fraser. This type of follows Oscar custom since Jessica received for it final yr Tammy Faye’s eyes. (And for those who’re questioning why Halle was tapped for the large honour, she’s additionally a previous winner for her position in Monster ball again in 2003 when she took house Greatest Actress.)
Will Smith was banned from the Oscars for 10 years for punching Chris Rock on stage. The Academy launched an announcement concerning the resolution, saying: “The 94th Oscars had been meant to be a celebration of the numerous people in our neighborhood who’ve completed unimaginable work over the previous yr; nonetheless, these moments had been overshadowed by the unacceptable and damaging conduct we noticed Mr. Smith show onstage. Throughout our broadcast, we didn’t sufficiently handle the scenario within the room. We’re sorry for this. This was a possibility for us to set an instance for our company, viewers and our Academy household all over the world, and we fell quick – unprepared for the unprecedented.”
They added partially: “The Board has decided, for a interval of 10 years from April 8, 2022, that Mr. Smith won’t be permitted to attend any Academy occasions or applications, whether or not in particular person or just about, together with however not restricted to the Academy Awards. We wish to prolong our deepest gratitude to Mr. Rock for retaining his composure beneath extraordinary circumstances.”
Will launched an announcement of his personal shortly after, saying, “I settle for and respect the Academy’s resolution.”
