There's No Buisness Like No Violence: Tony Awards Become First Awards Show To Set Official "No Violence" Policy In Light of The Will Smith Oscars Slap
The Tony Awards have instituted a "No Violence" policy in light of the events of this year's Oscar Awards.
Weeks later, the 2022 Oscar Awards are still the talk of the town. Comedian Chris Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's hair, and Will Smith stormed the stage, slapped the comedian in the face, and continued to yell profanities and threats from his seat. The world watched, including other awards shows, worried about what to do when faced with a similar situation. The Academy realized in that moment that there was no precedent to cover such a situation, leaving for a delay prior to determining a punishment for the King Richard actor. Other awards shows want to be ready.
According to an article on The Hollywood Reporter, the upcoming Tony Awards have instituted a "No Violence" policy for their upcoming 2022 ceremony. The letter that came from the heads of the Awards show reads, "The Tony Awards has a strict no violence policy...In the event of an incident, the perpetrator will be removed from the event immediately."
This standard will allow for a lack of confusion on protocol if a similar situation were ever to arise. Following the Will Smith slap, sources have come out with contradictory information about whether or not the performer was asked to leave, but, all in all, he was ultimately allowed to stay and take home the award for Best Actor. All punishment came after the fact. Now, with this policy, there will be a standard that dictates what to do. This marks the first awards show to create a real "No Violence" policy.
This year's Tony Awards will take place on Sunday June 12, 2022.
