Fact Check: Is Will Smith hosting the 2027 Oscars?
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The 98th Academy Awards delivered a memorable night on Sunday, March 15, at the Dolby Theatre, hosted by the sharp-witted Conan O'Brien for a second year.
Ryan Coogler's 'Sinners' won four Oscars, highlighted by Michael B Jordan's win for Best Actor, while Paul Thomas Anderson's 'One Battle After Another' won six awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.
Following the 2026 Oscars ceremony on Sunday, a rumor circulated online claiming that actor Will Smith is set to host the upcoming 2027 Oscars. But is there any truth to this? Let us find out below.
Claim: Will Smith to host the 2027 Oscars
On Monday, March 16, an X account came up with a post that read, "Will Smith will be hosting next year’s Oscars." The post also contained an image of the actor.
The viral post garnered more than 53,000 views, and several thousand liked the post on X at the time of filing this story.
Amid surprise ties, heartfelt speeches, and bold fashion on the red carpet, the 2026 Oscars ceremony celebrated a diverse slate of 2025 films while blending glamour and innovation.
Will Smith will be hosting next years Oscar’s. pic.twitter.com/6auVitLP1x
— Hoops Crave (@HoopsCrave) March 16, 2026
In the lead actress category, Jessie Buckley won for her poignant portrayal in Chloé Zhao's 'Hamnet', and became the first Irish winner in the role.
Moreover, the night also featured groundbreaking moments, such as the first K-pop song winning Best Original Song, 'Golden', and Autumn Durald Arkapaw becoming the first woman to win Best Cinematography.
Meanwhile, host Conan O'Brien returned for a second year with his signature sharp wit, self-deprecating humor, and occasional risqué jokes that kept the audience engaged throughout the nearly four-hour ceremony.
Fact Check: False, post originated as satire
The claim made in the online post is false, as it originated as a satire from a parody account @HoopsCrave.
Interestingly, Will Smith remains under a 10-year ban from all Academy events, which began in April 2022 after he slapped host Chris Rock. The ban does not expire until 2032.
Moreover, he was still barred from attending the 2026 Oscars, which were held on Sunday.
No credible news outlet, such as the Academy or ABC, announced any 2027 host. Conan O’Brien hosted the 98th Oscars on Sunday, and the 2027 host is not expected to be named until later in 2026 at the earliest.
Furthermore, Speculation articles list names like John Mulaney or Chris Rock as the host for next year's Academy Awards.
