LAPD Was Prepared to Arrest Will Smith Says Oscars Producer
Producer of the 2022 Oscars ceremony said the Los Angeles Police Department was prepared to arrest Will Smith for slapping Chris Rock live on stage. The incident in question began when Rock, while presenting the award for Best Documentary Feature, made a joke about Smith's wife Jada Pinkett-Smith's head, saying that he couldn't to see her in G.I. Jane 2. Allegedly unknown to Rock, Jada had shaved her head as a way to cope with her recently diagnosed autoimmune condition known as alopecia. Although Rock's joke initially received laughs throughout the audience, and from Smith himself, the rapper-turned-actor marched on stage and slapped the comedian, later shouting "Keep my wife’s name out your f***ing mouth!" Smith later received the award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance as Richard Williams in the sports drama, King Richard.
Immediately after the incident, celebrities all over the world reacted to the assault. A few supported Smith's defense of his wife, but most appeared to denounce his actions. Many wondered why there were no immediate steps taken against the actor. Initially, there were reports that the Academy asked Smith to leave the Dolby Theater, but that was later disputed with a new account revealing that Academy President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson only spoke with Smith's representative. Questions also rose about legal consequences against Smith, but it was reported that Rock quickly chose not to press charges Sunday night after the Oscars ceremony.
Related: Will Smith's Chris Rock Slap Overshadowed Oscars 2022's Biggest Triumphs
In a recent interview on Good Morning America (via Deadline), Will Packer, the producer of the 94th Academy Awards, revealed that he spoke to the LAPD, and
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