The police were ready to arrest Will Smith after he attacked Chris Rock at the Oscars, said Thursday the producer of the gala.
In his first public comment after the shocking incident that overshadowed Hollywood’s biggest night, Will Packer said he was with Rock when police officers came to talk to him.
“They were saying that this was an attack. (…) They said ‘we can go for him, we are prepared to bring him right now, you can press charges and we can arrest him’. They put the options on the table,” Packer told ABC television station.
“Chris was… He ruled out those options. He was like ‘I’m fine’.”
Los Angeles police officers “finished explaining what the options were and said ‘would you like us to do something?’ and he said ‘no.'”
Los Angeles police said Sunday that Rock refused to press charges.
Smith stunned millions of people by slapping Rock during the Oscars, after the comedian made a joke about his wife.
Half an hour later, he received the Oscar for best actor for his role in “King Richard: A Winning Family,” the industry’s highest honor for a male performer.
He was applauded by colleagues and some present at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which is in charge of the awards show, said Wednesday that Smith was asked to leave the gala after the attack but that he refused.
Some media have claimed that Packer would have asked Smith to stay on the premises, but in the brief clip of the ABC interview released Thursday, the producer says he did not speak to Smith. The conversation with Packer will be broadcast on Friday.
zoom meeting
The Academy said Wednesday it is considering disciplinary action that could even see the expulsion of Smith, one of Hollywood’s biggest stars and the fifth black actor to win an Oscar in that category.
“The board of governors today began disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Will Smith for violating the Academy’s statute of conduct.including inappropriate physical contact, threatening or abusive behavior, and compromising the integrity of the Academy,” the statement said.
“The Academy will take disciplinary action that may include suspension, expulsion and other sanctions allowed by the regulations and statutes of conduct.”
Variety said Thursday that Academy officials Dawn Hudson and David Rubin spoke with Smith on Tuesday, a day after the organization released its statement.
The magazine said the zoom meeting took about half an hour.
During the conversation, Smith apologized for attacking Rock and said he was aware there would be consequences, Variety reported.
On Monday, after the Academy condemned the attack, Smith posted an apology on Instagram calling his behavior “unacceptable and inexcusable.”
“I want to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was wrong and I was out of place. I feel ashamed and my actions did not reflect the kind of man I want to be.”
Rock, who continued with a comedy tour in Boston this week, told his audience that he was still “trying to process what happened.” (AND)
Source: Eluniverso
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