In a briefing on the ongoing disciplinary action against Smith on Wednesday, the organization said Smith “refused” to leave the Dolby Theater. He won the Best Actor award for his performance in “King Richard” later that night. This description of events does not fit some people who know the painful minutes after Rock slap. They claim that some members of the Academy have expressed their desire for Smith’s removal, but also say that no formal or explicit question has ever been asked. Another person familiar with the Academy said Smith was called to leave through an on-site representative. The call was made by Academy President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson, who, according to a source, asked Smith to leave the show instead of staying in the auditorium for the rest of the show. The producer of the show Will Packer, according to sources from Dolby, was the key to keep Smith in his place. About 30 minutes after Smith’s attack on Rock, before the Best Actor award was presented, Packer came out to the band and talked to Smith, according to two witnesses. Packer said he and the production “officially” wanted Smith to remain for the rest of the series, according to one witness. Another source close to Packer denied that the producer urged Smith to stay. Packer did not respond to a request for comment. Representatives of Smith and AMPAS declined to comment. Several A-listers including Denzel Washington, Tyler Perry and Bradley Cooper were seen having close conversations with Smith in the theater during commercials after the slap. Cooper hugged the upset actor, while Washington and Perry reportedly comforted him. No security personnel approached the actor. When Smith accepted his prize, his speech continued for several minutes without interruption, much longer than the time given to the other winners. Smith attacked Rock after the comic made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved bald head, implying that he was supposed to appear in “GI Jane 2”. Pinkett Smith has said that she suffers from hair loss due to alopecia. Smith apologized to Rock on Monday, saying “a joke about Janda’s medical condition was too much for me and I reacted emotionally.” The Academy is investigating the incident. On Wednesday, the team said Smith was facing “suspension, expulsion or other sanctions” for his actions. The organization also apologized to Rock. “Mr. Rock, we apologize for what you experienced on our stage and thank you for your resilience at that time,” the group said in a statement. during a festive event “. No contact was made with the Rock team prior to the Academy’s announcement on Wednesday. Another source says it was the first official apology issued to the comic after Sunday’s TV show.
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