The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences CEO Bill Kramer has confirmed that a ‘crisis team’ has been implemented for the upcoming 2023 Oscars award which is set to take place on March 12.
He gave the confirmation in an interview with Times Magazine.
The Oscars now have a ‘crisis team’ after the Will Smith slap last year, “in order to quickly navigate any potential real-time emergency” in the future. pic.twitter.com/m9ZnMkLgy0
— Pop Base (@PopBase) February 23, 2023
The creation of the ‘crisis team’ was in response to the infamous occurrence of actor, Will Smith walking on stage to slap an award presenter, Chris Rock, across the face.
The 2022 Oscars which aired March 27 had Smith slapping Rock due to the latter’s controversial joke on Jada Smith’s bald head, which she shaved following an alopecia diagnosis.
The pissed actor’s response to the joke became an internet topic for weeks with his statement right after the slap, “keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth”.
Bill Kramer further elaborated that the creation of the ‘crisis team’ is to prepare for the many things that can happen at the Oscars.
He said, “Because of the slap last year, we’ve opened our minds to the many things that can happen at the Oscars”.
This team, he believes, will navigate any potential real-time emergency.
Since the last year’s occurrence, though with the Academy delayed in response to Will Smith’s unacceptable behaviour, the actor has been banned from attending any Oscars event for the next ten years and revoking his AMPAS membership.