Kevin Hart has officially stepped away from hosting the 2019 Oscars show. The shocking move comes after the popular comedian received intense backlash for years-old tweets about gay people.
BREAKING: Kevin Hart says he has stepped down as Oscars host following an outcry over previous anti-gay tweets by the comedian.
— The Associated Press (@AP) December 7, 2018
The tweets in question feature Hart using the words “homo” and “gay” in a manner deemed derogatory or offensive to gay people. He has also taken heat for a 2010 stand-up special in which he joked about scolding his son for behaving in a “gay” manner.
“One of my greatest fears is my son growing up and being gay,” Hart said.
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In the wake of the big announcement that he’d be hosting the Oscars, Hart’s critics promptly called for his removal.
LGBT watchdog group GLAAD announced in a tweet that it had reached out to the Academy to voice its concerns.
“We’ve reached out to @ABCNetwork, @TheAcademy and @KevinHart4real’s management to discuss Kevin’s anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and record as well as opportunities for positive LGBTQ inclusion on the Oscars stage,” the group wrote.
We’ve reached out to @ABCNetwork, @TheAcademy and @KevinHart4real’s management to discuss Kevin’s anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and record as well as opportunities for positive LGBTQ inclusion on the Oscars stage. https://t.co/1Ho3raUaOz
— GLAAD (@glaad) December 6, 2018
In a video posted to Instagram Thursday, the 39-year-old expressed his annoyance at those who have chosen to fixate on his past instead of considering the man he is today.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BrEFNFalWgw/
“If u want to search my history or past and anger yourselves with what u find that is fine with me,” Hart said. “I’m almost 40 years old and I’m in love with the man that I am becoming. “If you want to hold people in a position where they always have to justify or explain their past then…I’m the wrong guy, man.”
“Please take your negative energy and put it into something constructive,” he continued. “Please….What’s understood should never have to be said. I LOVE EVERYBODY……ONCE AGAIN EVERYBODY. If you choose to not believe me then that’s on you.”
Hart’s comments didn’t settle well with many who believed he should have expressed more remorse for his “homophobic” behavior.
a complete lack of ownership of your own actions & no acknowledgment of the community you’ve negatively impacted – did nobody teach you how to apologize in your first 40 years? everyone makes mistakes, it’s how you fix them… & this ain’t it.
— tyler oakley // schedule pinned (@tyleroakley) December 7, 2018
Can you please make an actual apology to the community you have hurt
— Marti (@MartiGCummings) December 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/jamieleecurtis/status/1070865342724038657
https://twitter.com/ZacharySire/status/1070837791460749312
Openly gay CNN host Don Lemon personally addressed the controversy during his Thursday evening broadcast, pleading with Hart to come on his show and “move to become an LGBT ally.”
"Kevin, call me. Let's talk. Let's make you an ally to the LGBTQ community." – CNN's @DonLemon makes a direct appeal to comedian Kevin Hart after he stepped down as Oscars host over homophobic tweets. https://t.co/htQz1EVnWh pic.twitter.com/DHpfNQTmSV
— CNN Tonight (@CNNTonight) December 7, 2018
In another video also posted Thursday, Hart explained some of the events that led up to his decision to walk away from the prestigious hosting role.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BrEjHFCFe83/
According to Hart, the Academy asked him to apologize for the tweets he penned in 2009-2011 or they would “have to move on to find another host.”
“I chose to pass — I passed on the apology,” he said. “The reason I passed because I’ve addressed this several times. I’ve said where the rights and wrongs were. I’ve said who I am now versus who I was then.”
“We feed into the Internet trolls and we reward them, I’m not going to do it, man,” he added. “I’m going to be me. I’m going to stand my ground.”
On Friday, however, the comedian took on a more apologetic tone when officially announcing the decision.
I have made the choice to step down from hosting this year's Oscar's….this is because I do not want to be a distraction on a night that should be celebrated by so many amazing talented artists. I sincerely apologize to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past.
— Kevin Hart (@KevinHart4real) December 7, 2018
“I have made the choice to step down from hosting this year’s Oscar’s….,” Hart tweeted Friday, two days after announcing that he’d been selected to replace host the 91st Academy Awards show. “this is because I do not want to be a distraction on a night that should be celebrated by so many amazing talented artists. I sincerely apologize to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past.”
I'm sorry that I hurt people.. I am evolving and want to continue to do so. My goal is to bring people together not tear us apart. Much love & appreciation to the Academy. I hope we can meet again.
— Kevin Hart (@KevinHart4real) December 7, 2018
“I’m sorry that I hurt people..,” he added in a second tweet. “I am evolving and want to continue to do so. My goal is to bring people together not tear us apart. Much love & appreciation to the Academy. I hope we can meet again.”