Here’s what really happened after Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars
LOS ANGELES — “Officially, we don’t want you to leave. We want you to stay.”
That was the message that Will Packer, the producer of this year’s Oscars, came rushing out to deliver to Will Smith less than 45 minutes after the A-list nominee had struck presenter Chris Rock on the Dolby Theatre stage.
For those who witnessed the drama both onstage and behind the scenes on March 27, the recollections of exactly what followed The Slap have often been discordant and even contradictory. Among the most contentious points: An Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences statement said that Smith “was asked to leave the ceremony and refused.” Smith’s team has disputed the nature of the ask.
The Los Angeles Times spoke to more than a dozen people who were at the Oscars that night, or had direct knowledge of what transpired, and through the conversations, some measure of clarity emerged. Due to the sensitivity of the situation, none of the sources was willing to be quoted by name. The academy and representatives for Smith declined to comment.
“I think everyone has their truth,” said one source. “There are like five people who truly know what happened that night. And in those pressured moments, things certainly could have been misconstrued on all sides.”
More than two hours into the 94th Academy Awards, the show was running long, but the atmosphere was congenial and collegial. The controversy over presenting some categories ahead of the live telecast was barely registering outside of Film Twitter, and while hosts Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes poked fun at
