LOS ANGELES (KNX) – Will Packer, the producer for the 2022 Oscars Ceremony, said in an interview that the Los Angeles Police Department was ready to arrest Will Smith after the actor slapped Chris Rock during the live broadcast.
In an interview with “Good Morning America,” Packer recalled the police discussing options with him, as well as Rock after the infamous slap.
“(The police) said, ‘We will go get him. We are prepared. We’re prepared to get him right now. You can press charges, we can arrest him,'” Packer said in the interview, according to Variety.
“They were laying out the options. And as they were talking, Chris was — he was being very dismissive of those options. He was like, ‘No, no, no, I’m fine.’ And even to the point where I said, ‘Rock, let them finish.’ The LAPD officers finished laying out what his options were and they said, ‘Would you like us to take any action?’ And he said no.”
Rock ended not pressing charges against Smith. Smith posted a lengthy apology on his Instagram page, writing, “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.”
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On Wednesday, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences claimed they told Smith to leave the ceremony and that the actor refused; however, many outlets have reported those claims are false.
Variety cited sources claiming to be inside the Dolby Theater ceremony and who said that Packer asked Smith to stay for the rest of the show. Packer has not addressed those allegations at this time.
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