Oscars producer Will Packer says Chris Rock didn't want the Academy to kick Will Smith out after the slap, but a source close to Rock denies it

• On "Good Morning America," Oscars producer Will Packer discussed Will Smith striking Chris Rock.

• Packer called it a "sad and disappointing moment."

Producer Will Packer spoke out about Will Smith slapping Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars on Good Morning America.

The incident happened after Rock joked about Jada Pinkett Smith's bald head. Pinkett Smith has been outspoken in the past about having the autoimmune hair-loss disorder alopecia.

According to Packer, Rock's controversial joke was an impromptu choice by the comedian, who chose to abandon the "amazing lineup of jokes" he had submitted to the production for the teleprompter. "Ultimately he did not get to one joke," said Packer. "He did not get to one joke, he was just immediately freestyling."

Packer also claimed to GMA that Rock was given the choice to have Smith removed from the ceremony by the Los Angeles Police Department. He said Rock was "dismissive" of the "options" laid out by the officers. Insider previously reported on Monday that Rock had declined to press charges against Smith, according to the LAPD.

"They said would you like us to take any action and he said no," said Packer. Minutes later, Smith received the Academy Award for best actor for his performance in "King Richard." He was given a standing ovation.

The Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences issued a statement on Wednesday saying that they requested that Smith leave following the incident. They have also begun "disciplinary proceedings."

Regarding why Smith wasn't removed from the ceremony by the Academy immediately after the slap, Packer said that he told "Academy leadership that was on site" that "Chris Rock doesn't want that."

"Rock has made it clear that he does not want to make a bad situation worse," Packer recalled telling the Academy leadership present at the event.

However, a source close to Rock tells Insider that this information is not true and that Rock was not part of the decision to have Smith remain on the premises.

Packer expressed disappointment that the slap incident overshadowed some of the historic moments on Oscars night

Packer is the first Black man to produce the Oscars and lead the first all-Black producing team in the show's ninety-four year history, according to GMA. He expressed sadness at the "vitriol" displayed by Smith when he told Rock to "keep my wife's name out of your fucking mouth" following Rock's joke.

"My heart dropped and I just remember thinking oh no not like this," said Packer.

He gave Rock credit for saving the show from what he deemed a "sad and disappointing moment."

"He certainly saved what was left of it at that point," Packer told GMA.

He expressed regret at the "inclusive" moments that were overshadowed by the incident including Troy Kotsur becoming the first deaf man to take home an acting Academy Award and Ariana DeBose becoming the first openly queer and Afro-Latina actor to win an Academy Award.

"You have all these moments that are overshadowed now, so that's the bittersweet part of it," said Packer.