In a statement released the following Wednesday, the Academy said Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused.[29] However, others who were present in the room denied that Smith was ever asked, either directly or through a representative, to leave; disagreement ensued between members of the academy's leadership and ceremony producer Will Packer on whether Smith should be allowed to stay, which led to no action being taken.[30] Sources told Variety that Packer "was the key to Smith remaining in his seat".[30] In a subsequent interview with Good Morning America, Packer said he opposed suggestions to remove Smith from the theater because he did not believe that Rock would want it.[31]