Jada Pinkett Smith makes her first public appearance since the Oscars drama.
The no-bothered wife attended Shonda Rhimes’ Performing Arts Center grand opening in Los Angeles on Saturday night. She was joined by Shonda Rhimes and Debbie Allen at the grand opening of the Rhimes Performing Arts Center, which will also be the home of Debbie Allen’s Dance Academy.
The 50-year-old actress had her first public appearance with a smile on the red carpet and was seen in a strapless, gold dress, with matching earrings and heels.
Jada Pinkett Smith has arrived at Rhimes Performing Arts Center opening, making her first public appearance since the Oscars. (A section of new building is named for her and Will Smith.) Chatting with Billy Porter and Maxine Waters. She’s not doing any interviews tonight… pic.twitter.com/XpuwDgdYEy
— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) April 10, 2022
It’s no longer news that the Academy banned Will Smith from the Oscars for slapping Chris Rock.
Smith acknowledged the motion picture academy’s decision to ban him from the Oscars for 10 years on Friday.
“I accept and respect the academy’s decision,” the actor said in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital.
On Friday, the academy announced that Smith was banned from attending the Oscars or any other academy event for 10 years following his slap of presenter Chris Rock at this year’s ceremony. The decision came after a meeting of the academy’s board of governors to discuss a response to Smith’s actions.
“This action we are taking today in response to Will Smith’s behavior is a step toward a larger goal of protecting the safety of our performers and guests and restoring trust in the academy. We also hope this can begin a time of healing and restoration for all involved and impacted.”
Academy President David Rubin called for Friday’s board meeting just days ago. The meeting was originally scheduled for April 18 but was moved up due to Smith’s resignation on April 1.
“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,” the board of governors said in a letter.
“During our telecast, we did not adequately address the situation in the room. 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. The board has decided, for a period of 10 years from April 8, 2022, that 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.
“We want to express our deep gratitude to Mr. Rock for maintaining his composure under extraordinary circumstances. We also want to thank our hosts, nominees, presenters, and winners for their poise and grace during our telecast.”
“This action we are taking today in response to Will Smith’s behavior is a step toward a larger goal of protecting the safety of our performers and guests and restoring trust in the academy. We also hope this can begin a time of healing and restoration for all involved and impacted.”
Smith slapped Rock after Rock cracked a joke about Pinkett Smith’s bald head, referring to the 1997 film “GI Jane,” starring Demi Moore. Pinkett Smith, 50, has struggled with alopecia.
“Jada, ‘GI Jane 2,’ I can’t wait to see it,” Rock, 57, said while onstage at the Oscars with the actress in attendance.
