Will Smith was asked to leave the ceremony after smacking Oscar host Chris Rock across the face after he made a joke about his wife’s medical condition.
Let’s visit that statement released only a day ago:
“While we would like to clarify that Mr. Smith was asked to leave the ceremony (after slapping Chris Rock) and refused, we also recognize we could have handled the situation differently”
The academy said in a statement
The Academy also says: “things unfolded in a way we could not anticipate”
But now, sources close to the situation are saying he wasn’t actually asked to leave the show
There are reports the CEO spoke to Smith on zoom a day after the Oscars, in a 30 minute call.
Smith’s publicists say he was never asked to formally leave either.
Police were on site and ready to arrest actor Will Smith at the Academy Awards for slapping presenter Chris Rock, the producer of the Hollywood ceremony came out and said too.
But the authorities did take not any action because Rock declined to press charges, show producer Will Packer said.
Packer said that he and the production “officially” wanted Smith to stay for the remainder of the show, according to one of the witnesses, cited in Variety.
Another source close to Packer denied that the producer urged Smith to remain..
This comes as new footage comes to light, this time from Smith’s wife, who appears to be laughing at her husband post slapping Rock.
Many people right around thee world are still asking if this entire incident was staged, was it a joke – even though the academy slammed the incident from their statement.
On Wednesday, the Academy said that Smith faces “suspension, expulsion or other sanctions” for his actions.
“Mr. Rock, we apologize to you for what you experienced on our stage and thank you for your resilience in that moment,” the group said in a statement. “We also apologize to our nominees, guests and viewers for what transpired during what should have been a celebratory event.”
The investigation is ongoing, but we can expect to hear more on April 18 in terms of outcomes and consequences. Until then? Expect more statements, interviews, footage and eye witness accounts.
