Academy President Cool With Will Smith Getting His Oscar Engraved: “We Can Arrange” - Hollywood Reporter

Janet Yang, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, said Will Smith is welcome to get an engraved nameplate added to his best actor Oscar statuette, despite being banned from Academy events for a decade after slapping Chris Rock during last year’s ceremony.

Last month, Smith duetted a video on TikTok that instructed viewers to pick up an object and ask it what it thinks of yourself.

Smith proceeded to hold up his Oscar statuette, which he won for his performance in King Richard, clearly showing that the award had not been engraved.

Typically, Oscar winners attend the Governors Ball following the ceremony and there they will get their nameplate added to the trophy.

During the latest episode of The Hollywood Reporter ’s Awards Chatter podcast, Yang told THR ‘s Scott Feinberg that she thinks Smith should have his name engraved on the Oscar when asked what she would say if the actor reached out for his nameplate.

Yang said that before she and Academy CEO Bill Kramer came on board, Rock was apparently asked about hosting again and he declined.