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Wanda Sykes slams "gross" decision to let Will Smith stay at Oscars

Wanda Sykes slams
© Reuters
Oscars host Wanda Sykes says that she "physically felt ill" after Will Smith hit Chris Rock during Sunday night's ceremony.

Oscars co-host Wanda Sykes has criticised the decision of the Academy to let Will Smith remain at Sunday night's ceremony.

The actor stunned the watching world when he got up on stage and physically assaulted Chris Rock after the comedian made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith's shaved head.

Smith then shouted profanity at Rock when he returned to his seat - but despite the incident, Smith remained for the rest of the show and even went on to collect the Best Actor award.

"I just felt so awful for my friend Chris," Sykes told The Ellen DeGeneres Show today. "It was sickening. I physically felt ill and I'm still a little traumatised by it.

"For [the Academy] to let him stay in that room and enjoy the rest of the show and accept his award. I was like, 'How gross is this?' This is just the wrong message.

"You assault somebody, you get escorted out the building and that's it. But for them to let him continue, I thought it was gross.

"Plus, I wanted to be able to run out after he won and say, 'Unfortunately Will couldn't be here tonight.'"

Smith has since issued a public apology to Rock for his actions.

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Will Smith hits Chris Rock during the Oscars on March 27, 2022
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