Will Smith will not be allowed to attend the Academy Awards for the next 10 years, as a result of his slapping comedian Chris Rock on stage during this year’s Oscar ceremony, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences announced in a statement obtained by CNN.”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,” Academy President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson said in a statement on Friday.The decision was made during a Board of Governors meeting held earlier in the day in Los Angeles. The meeting, initially scheduled for April 18, was expedited after Smith announced his resignation from the Academy last week. Smith issued a quick, concise statement on his ban from the Oscars for the next decade.
“I accept and respect the Academy’s decision,” the actor said in a statement to CNN. CNN has reached out to Rock’s representatives for comment.
The decision came following “tons of debate” on what the consequences of his on-stage slap should be, a board member tells CNN. The Academy’s letter added: “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.”
“During our telecast, we did not adequately address the situation in the room,” the letter went on to state. “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.”
The Board of Governors said in a previous statement that they wanted the matter to be “handled in a timely fashion.“Smith’s resignation means that he is no longer part of the Academy’s voting body, but it does not prevent the Oscar winner from being nominated in the future, a source with knowledge previously told CNN. Typically, the previous year’s best actor winner presents the current year’s best actress award (and the reigning best actress presents to the best actor trophy). With Smith’s ban, the Oscars will have to break that tradition.
Source: CNN | Visit CNN.com for more on this topic.
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Boston, MA—Toast (NYSE: TOST) and acclaimed food critic, Keith Lee, are joining forces to celebrate extraordinary restaurants and the little details that make them special. Beginning today, Toast and Lee will surprise the first of three restaurants with $50,000 each over the next few weeks.
Based on three categories, Commitment to Hospitality, Community Connection, Employee Care and Engagement, Keith has selected the first two restaurants. Toast and Keith Lee will also select a third restaurant based on submissions entered on social media, awarding a final $50,000 cash prize to one restaurant — and $25,000 to the individual that nominates them.
“As guests, we often see only what arrives on the plate, while restaurants orchestrate a complex symphony of details — from ingredients to atmosphere to staff choreography, and more – to make for amazing dining experiences,” said Kelly Esten, Chief Marketing Officer at Toast. “Like Toast, Keith Lee recognizes that it’s those little things that often set restaurants apart, not big marketing budgets or big name chefs. We’re delighted to work with him — and invite our community on social media to do so as well — to recognize some truly special businesses.”
“Getting a 10 out of 10 in my book is about more than the taste of the food alone — it’s also about the energy when walking in the door, the way food might be packaged, or how the server made me feel when I ordered,” said Lee. “I’ve made a career highlighting the way these details come together to make for great meals, and I’m thrilled to work with Toast to celebrate just a few of the people in our big, broad restaurant community who make it happen.”
(ATLANTA, GA) – February 5, 2025 – Globally-acclaimed TRIBL Records celebrate winning Best Gospel Performance/Song at the 67th GRAMMY Awards, for the mega-single, “One Hallelujah” featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Israel Houghton, Erica Campbell, Jonathan McReynolds, and Jekalyn Carr. The single “One Hallelujah” was the musical anchor of the 2024 domestic-sold out tour of the same name.
Written by G. Morris Coleman, Israel Houghton, Kenneth Leonard, Jr., Tasha Cobbs Leonard & Naomi Raine, “One Hallelujah” unites the powerful voices of Jonathan McReynolds, Jekalyn Carr, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Israel Houghton, and Erica Campbell to deliver a message of praise and unity, blending their distinctive styles into a harmonious worship experience.
“The GRAMMY win for ‘One Hallelujah’ is a nod to the heartbeat of our company— that collaboration wins, especially when it comes to the Kingdom of God,” shares Insignia Co-Founder and CEO Norman Gyamfi, “We’re grateful for this honor, and for the artists who trusted us to steward the vision.”
For more information on TRIBL follow @TriblRecords on social media and visit tribl.com.
About TRIBL Music Group:
In the short time since its 2020 founding, TRIBL Music Group has revolutionized the Christian, Gospel, and Worship music marketplaces, disrupting the status quo and creating a diverse home for creatives everywhere. The ground-breaking company is home to the breakout collective Maverick City Music, as well as popular artists Chandler Moore, Naomi Raine, Maverick City Música, Travis Greene, Todd Galberth, and more. Boasting billions of global streams and chart-topping radio successes, TRIBL has garnered a seemingly endless array of peer, industry, and consumer-based accolades, including multiple GRAMMY® Awards, BMI and ASCAP Awards, and a Billboard Music Award, an American Music Award, numerous Stellar Awards, and several Dove Award wins TRIBL Record is a division of Insignia Assets, LLC. Learn more at tribl.com.
(ATLANTA, GA) – January 8, 2025 – Globally-acclaimed TRIBL Records celebrates earning four nominations in the 56th Annual NAACP Image Awards. The commendations came across various categories, including Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary) and Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album.
MAVERICK CITY MUSIC CEO, Jonathan Jay, and Insignia Co-Founder and CEO Norman Gyamfi share: “We are honored to be nominated for the 56th annual NAACP Image Awards, we look forward to continuing the tradition of excellence and uplifting values through gospel music, while highlighting artists committed to that purpose.
Under the theme, “Our Stories, Our Culture, Our Excellence,” the NAACP Image Awards is globally recognized as one of the most distinguished multicultural awards shows celebrating Black excellence. The winners will be revealed Friday, February 21, 2025 at the 56th NAACP Image Awards Creative Honors Ceremonies on naacpimageawards.net and during the two-hour LIVE TV special, airing Saturday, February 22, 2025 from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, at 8 PM ET/ 8 PM PT on BET and CBS.
For more information on TRIBL follow @TriblRecords on social media and visit tribl.com.
TRIBL Records 56th Annual NAACP Image Awards nominations are showcased below:
Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album“The Maverick Way Reimagined” — Maverick City Music (Tribl Records)
Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song“God Problems (Not By Power)” — (Tribl Records)
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional)Maverick City Music feat. Miles Minnick — “God Problems (Not By Power)” (Tribl Records)
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary)GloRilla feat. Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music, Kierra Sheard, Chandler Moore — “RAIN DOWN ON ME” (Collective Music Group/Interscope Records)
About TRIBL Music GroupIn the short time since its 2020 founding, TRIBL Music Group has revolutionized the Christian, Gospel, and Worship music marketplaces, disrupting the status quo and creating a diverse home for creatives everywhere. The ground-breaking company is home to the breakout collective Maverick City Music, as well as popular artists Chandler Moore, Naomi Raine, Maverick City Música, Travis Greene, Todd Galberth, and more. Boasting billions of global streams and chart-topping radio successes, TRIBL has garnered a seemingly endless array of peer, industry, and consumer-based accolades, including multiple GRAMMY® Awards, BMI and ASCAP Awards, and a Billboard Music Award, an American Music Award, numerous Stellar Awards, and several Dove Award wins TRIBL Record is a division of Insignia Assets, LLC. Learn more at tribl.com.