The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences never actually told Hollywood star Will Smith to leave the Oscars, according to a report citing inside sources.
Smith was supposedly asked to leave the award show on Sunday after he delivered a slap to comedian Chris Rock, who had made a joke at the expense of Smith’s wife, the academy said in a statement.
“Things unfolded in a way we could not have anticipated. While we would like to clarify that Mr. Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused, we also recognize we could have handled the situation differently,” the statement read.
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Now, sources with direct knowledge of events are disputing that the academy ever asked the then-soon-to-be Oscar winner to leave, TMZ reported.
Three individuals who were present at the time said show producer Will Packer told Smith he could stay, according to the report
“We do not want you to leave,” Packer reportedly told the star at about 8 p.m. PDT.
Smith won the award for best actor minutes later, the report noted.
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The Washington Examiner reached out to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences but did not receive a response.
