Will Smith Was Not Actually Asked To Leave Oscars Ceremony, Sources Claim

Will Smith was not asked to leave the Oscars after hitting Chris Rock, sources claim.

You may have heard that Big Willie made a headline or two at the ceremony, where he smacked Chris Rock across the face before picking up the award for Best Actor.

His outburst rocked the showbiz world - and the broader world, to be honest - with many people arguing that he shouldn't have been allowed to stay and pick up the biggest accolade of his career.

If you somehow haven't seen the slap - or just fancy watching it again - here it is:

The Academy has since claimed the 53-year-old was asked to leave the ceremony but refused.

"Things unfolded in a way we could not have anticipated," a statement read.

"While we would like to clarify that Mr Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused, we also recognise we could have handled the situation differently."

However, sources have now contradicted this claim.

According to Variety, 'sources close to the situation' said there were 'mixed messages' inside the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles following the incident.

They claim that some Academy members expressed that they wanted Smith removed, but said he was never explicitly asked.

Another witness claimed that show producer Will Packer came down and conferred with Smith after the attack, stating that he wanted him to stay. However, a source close to Packer told Variety the claim wasn't true. So make what you will of that.

UNILAD has contacted the Academy for comment.

Smith issued a public apology in the wake of the incident, writing: "Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive.

"My behaviour at last night's Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable.

"Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada's medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.

"I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be.

"There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness."

He continued: "I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologize to the Williams Family and my King Richard family.

"I deeply regret that my behaviour has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us.

"I am a work in progress."

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Topics: Film and TV, Will Smith, Oscars, Celebrity

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey