Comedian Kevin Hart has announced he is stepping down from hosting the 2019 Oscars over homophobic comments he made in the past.
The 39-year-old announced his decision on Friday after some comments he made on Twitter years ago resurfaced online following his appointment as the host.
“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,” Hart tweeted.
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’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
Hart, who is currently in Australia, posted a video to Instagram hours earlier saying he had received a call from the Academy telling him to apologise or he would be removed as host.
In the video, Hart said he would not apologise.
“I chose to pass, I passed on the apology. The reason I chose to pass is because I’ve addressed this several times, this is not the first time this has come up, I’ve addressed this… I’m not going to continue to go back and tap into the days of old when I’ve moved on and I’m in a completely different space in my life,” he said.
“Regardless, Academy, I’m thankful and appreciative of the opportunity. If it goes away no harm no foul.”
It was announced on Tuesday that Hart would host the Oscars ceremony in February 2019, which is considered one of the most prestigious but difficult jobs in show business.
“I am blown away simply because this has been a goal on my list for a long time,” Hart wrote on his Instagram page.
Hart would have been one of a few black Oscar hosts in the event’s history, after Chris Rock, Whoopi Goldberg and Sammy Davis Jr.
However, the choice quickly prompted a backlash after a significant number of Hart’s tweets in which he used homophobic slurs were re-posted on Twitter. A video from a 2010 stand-up special in which Hart delivered an extended joke based on the fear his three-year-old son would be gay also resurfaced.
