Will Smith’s Camp Claims He Was Never Asked To Leave Oscars After Slapping Chris Rock

Will Smith’s slap of Chris Rock continues to make entertainment headlines around the world. The “Fresh Prince” star made waves after delivering the blow to Chris Rock on stage at the Oscar ceremony. Initial reports from the Academy noted that the organization asked Smith to leave after the incident.

Sources indicate that Will Smith was never asked to leave. On Wednesday, the Academy claimed that Will was asked to leave the Dolby Theater after hitting Rock, but that Smith refused. Some are now refuting that this ever happened.

TMZ reported that a source close to the production of the show said that Will Smith was told he could stay after the slap. A tense backstage meeting with Will’s representatives took place, but the producer said the actor was never asked to leave.

Some officials wanted Will to be kicked out. Others thought he should be allowed to stay. A consensus was never reached, and ultimately Smith stuck around for the remainder of the show.

Will Smith has since apologized for his actions. He now faces stiff sanctions from the Motion Picture Academy of Arts & Sciences. That could include a ban from future awards ceremonies.

Smith ended up taking home the Oscar for best actor later in the evening. If this source is to be believed, he was never asked to leave. Time will tell if Will is ever allowed to attend another Academy Awards event.

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