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.
