Experts: Will Smith Is ‘Damaged Goods,’ His Brand ‘Forever Tarnished’
Actions have harsh consequences. That simple fact of life is something Will Smith is learning in the aftermath of his very public smacking of Chris Rock at the 94th Academy Awards.
While that moment of physical violence slowly fades into the past what it means for the future of the King Richard star is becoming clearer – and it doesn’t look promising according to a team of experts.
Fox News Digital approached people who deal in personal brand management and they pointed to a man with a brand that “has been forever tarnished.” Here are their conclusions.
“Will Smith is a beloved performer with far too many blockbuster performances to disappear from public view or be permanently canceled or shunned by Hollywood,” Evan Nierman, CEO of global crisis PR firm Red Banyan and author of the book “Crisis Averted,” told the outlet, even as many of Smith’s peers who initially backed him seem to be having second thoughts.
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“However, there is no doubt that his brand has been forever tarnished by his violent actions. It used to be that he was known as the ‘Fresh Prince,’ but now when we think of Will Smith we will be thinking of the ‘fresh prints’ he left across Chris Rock’s cheek.”
Entertainment lawyer Domenic Romano thinks there is a path to redemption – but it is a long one and the Academy and would need time to pass in order to mollify his Hollywood peers who were shocked and offended in equal measure by the assault.
“There is no doubt that his brand has been forever tarnished by his violent actions.” Will Smith slaps Chris Rock at the Academy Awards. (Robyn Beck/Getty Images)
“He could face sanctions from the Academy short of expulsion, including potential suspension, but a lot will depend on what actions he takes to speak out against violence and whether he sends a clear and consistent message that his response against a poor-taste joke is not acceptable,” the NYC-based managing partner explained.
He added, “if he goes out of his way to make amends, he should recover within the next 12 months, if not sooner.”
Elsewhere comedian Tiffany Haddish told People magazine Smith to many will be seen to be simply defending the honor of his wife who has publicly spoken to her battle with alopecia – an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss – although the actor has been caught out in the past with his behavior.
That might be enough to save him from being banished forever as one unnamed studio executive put forward to the Hollywood Reporter (THR).
“He’s not kryptonite yet,” the executive said. “He has to sit in the penalty box for a bit. He’s going to do some interview with someone like Gayle King and it will kind of wash away.”
Smith’s long history in the business will help, this person continues: “He has never been violent on set. He has been extra accommodating. And you read about what he did on the King Richard set.”
Actors branch member Rutanya Alda told THR Smith “made me wish I hadn’t voted for him. It changed the whole tone of the evening. I will never, ever vote for anything Will Smith is in again.” A media professional who votes on awards agrees he would not cast a ballot for Smith in the future.
“To assault a man and then finish the evening dancing at the Vanity Fair party — talk about getting it all wrong,” he said.
Man Allegedly Assaults Fresno Detective, Gets Shot Dead
A man who pleaded no contest to assault charges on Tuesday afterward exited the building and entered a police annex building where he allegedly assaulted a Fresno detective.
ABC 30 reports 24-year-old Joseph Roy pleaded no contest on an assault charge earlier in the day. The plea would spare him from prison time but “required to complete alcohol and anger management treatment and wasn’t allowed to have a firearm.”
The plea would also result in a felony on Roy’s record with the understanding the felony would be reduced to a misdemeanor after one year if Roy maintained good behavior.
Roy’s attorney spent time trying to get the sentence postponed, claiming his client could not comprehend what was happening. Shortly thereafter Roy exited the court proceedings, entered the annex, and allegedly assaulted the detective.
KMPH notes the detective Roy allegedly assaulted was 24-year veteran of the police force. He “suffered a puncture wound to his forehead and long cuts to his face and scalp,” among other injuries.
The detective was able to shoot Roy, thereby stopping the alleged assault. Roy died at the scene.
Police Lt. Bill Dooley said, “This is one of those cases where our suspect intentionally identified the Fresno Police Department. Intentionally went inside. He was not fighting to try to escape. He was fighting to try and hurt.”
Dooley added, “There’s no connection between the detective who was assaulted by Mr. Roy. They’ve never had contact. The detective has not worked any of his cases.”
AWR Hawkins is an award-winning Second Amendment columnist for Breitbart News and the writer/curator of Down Range with AWR Hawkins, a weekly newsletter focused on all things Second Amendment, also for Breitbart News. He is the political analyst for Armed American Radio and a Turning Point USA Ambassador. Follow him on Instagram: @awr_hawkins. Reach him at awrhawkins@breitbart.com. You can sign up to get Down Range at breitbart.com/downrange.
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