The Tony Awards has issued a warning that violence like Will Smith’s Oscars slap of Chris Rock will not be permitted and said the “perpetrator will be be removed” immediately from the building.
The message was included in a letter from the Tony Award Productions to potential ticket-buyers — inside the FAQ section about attire for the event, COVID-19 requirements and more — obtained by Deadline magazine in a piece published Wednesday.
“The Tony Awards has a strict no violence policy,” the statement read. “In the event of an incident, the perpetrator will be removed from the event immediately.”
“The Tony Awards has a strict no violence policy. In the event of an incident, the perpetrator will be removed from the event immediately” https://t.co/XQk2SA1LP1
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) April 20, 2022
The policy was mentioned among other requirements for those interested in attending the 75th annual show, such as the dress code for the evening — which will be black-tie only — proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Also included was a statement about how tickets would be not-transferrable, the outlet noted.
The warning comes following the drama that occurred at the 94th Academy Awards on March 27 when Smith walked onstage and slapped Rock in the face after the comedian cracked a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s bald head amid her hair loss battle.
Smith was not removed from the building and a short time later he took the stage to accept his first Oscar ever — Best Actor for his role in the film “King Richard,” as reported previously by The Daily Wire.
During his acceptance speech, he apologized to the Academy and to the other nominees, but didn’t appear to apologize to Rock. Smith later apologized to the comedian in a post on Instagram where he admitted that his actions were “out of line” and “wrong.”
Following disciplinary proceedings by the Oscars over his actions the actor announced he had resigned from the Academy. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences later announced the “Men In Black” star was banned from attending the annual award show for 10 years due to his actions.
“The 94th Oscars were meant to be a celebration of the many individuals in our community who did incredible work this past year; however, those moments were overshadowed by the unacceptable and harmful behavior we saw Mr. Smith exhibit on stage,” an “Open Letter to Our Academy Family” from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences CEO Dawn Hudson and President David Rubin read in part.
“During our telecast, we did not adequately address the situation in the room,” the letter added. “For this, we are sorry. This was an opportunity for us to set an example for our guests, viewers and our Academy family around the world, and we fell short — unprepared for the unprecedented.”
“Today, the Board of Governors convened a meeting to discuss how best to respond to Will Smith’s actions at the Oscars, in addition to accepting his resignation,” it continued. “The Board has decided, for a period of 10 years from April 8, 2022, Mr. Smith shall not be permitted to attend any Academy events or programs, in person or virtually, including but not limited to the Academy Awards.”
The Academy’s decision did not involve stripping Smith of his Oscar and he remains eligible for Oscar nominations in the future and wins.
The Tony Awards takes place at Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, June 12.