Will Smith Was Not Formally Asked To Leave Oscars After Slap New Report Says
New sources claim that the Academy did not formally ask Will Smith to leave the Oscars ceremony following his infamous confrontation with Chris Rock. On what should have been a regal evening celebrating the best cinema had to offer in 2021, Smith striking Rock in the face overshadowed everything. After getting on stage to present the Best Documentary (Feature) award, Rock joked about Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, which Smith did not take kindly to. The ensuing slap led to several Academy members consoling the Best Actor nominee, and Smith remained in the theatre. The night devolved into confused chaos, leaving everybody wondering what had happened and why nobody took additional action when the events transpired.
In the days following the 94th Academy Awards, the moments surrounding the physical altercation have only gotten muddier. Celebrities backing either Smith or Rock have made remarks supporting Smith's emotional vulnerability and his wife's medical condition (alopecia) or admonishing his actions against a comedian playing the part onstage. And while social media is hyper-focused on making memes about the slap itself, news outlets attempt to get a handle on the facts of what occurred. One of those supposed facts is that the Academy officially asked Smith to leave following the encounter, but now that claim is being thrown into question.
Related: Will Smith Slaps Chris Rock At Oscars: Biggest Questions & What Next?
Variety reports that sources close to the production say that there was no direct request for Smith to leave the theatre. Supposedly, Academy President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson spoke with a representative for the King Richard actor, who merely suggested that he leave the premises. Deadline has
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