Was Will Smith Asked to Leave Academy Awards After Slapping Chris Rock?

Officials at the Academy Awards revealed that after Will Smith slapped Chris Rock they asked Smith to leave the ceremony. But the “King Richard” star refused. The request – not a demand – was made backstage to Smith’s publicist, Meredith O’Sullivan Wasson. Wasson could be seen speaking to Smith during a commercial break following the incident. Holding Jada Pinkett Smith’s hand, the nominee stayed seated. Less than an hour later, he won an Oscar.