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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Zara Woodcock

Oscars producer says Will Smith 'poured concrete in the room' as he praises Chris Rock

Oscars producer Will Packer has shared his opinion on the shocking incident between Will Smith and Chris Rock.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor walked up on stage and smacked the comedian across the face for making a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith.

He even yelled profanities at Rock, who was presenting on stage at the time.

The Academy has since put the incident under review and the actor will be finding out if his Oscar will be stripped from him.

And recently, Oscar producer Packer appeared on Good Morning America to describe the moment.

"It was like somebody poured concrete in that room," he said.

Packer said it 'sucked the life' out of the entire room (ABC news)

"It sucked the life out of that room and it never came back," the producer said while adding that many were thinking 'Is this real? How am I supposed to react?'

He went on to praise Rock on how he handled the moments right after the slap.

"I think he [saved the show with his composed reaction]. He certainly saved what was left of that night," Packer added.

"Because Chris handled the moment with such grace and aplomb, it allowed the show to go on."

Smith slapped the comedian across the face (REUTERS)

According to the producer, Los Angeles police were ready to arrest the actor but did not after an intervention from the comedian.

Packer claimed cops told Rock that they would remove Smith from the audience and arrest him for battery.

"We will go get him, we are prepared to get him right now," the officers said to Rock, Packer claims. "You can press charges. We can arrest him."

The producer alleges Rock initially dismissed the police, but he encouraged the Everybody Hates Chris star to hear them out before making a decision.

Smith went on to win an award (AFP via Getty Images)

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"They were laying out the options, and as they were talking, Chris was being very dismissive of those options. He was like, 'No, I'm fine.' He was like, 'No, no, no,'" the producer added.

In the end, Rock decided not to press charges, however, police said in a statement: "If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report."

A few moments after the slap, Smith went on to win the Best Actor category for his role in King Richard.

Smith could still face consequences from Oscars officials, which could result in sanctions such as expulsion or suspension after the Academy board of governors meets later this month.

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