Kevin Hart steps down from hosting Oscars following outrage on Twitter

Yahoo Entertainment
Updated

Just two days after announcing on his Instagram that he would be hosting the 2019 Academy Awards, Kevin Hart has stepped down from the role, following public backlash over his past homophobic comments. Hart made the announcement on Twitter late Thursday night, while also apologizing to the LGBTQ community, saying,

Hart originally took to his Instagram Tuesday announcing that after years of being asked to host the Oscars, the time has finally come.

View this post on Instagram

For years I have been asked if I would ever Host the Oscars and my answer was always the same...I said that it would be the opportunity of a lifetime for me as a comedian and that it will happen when it’s suppose to. I am so happy to say that the day has finally come for me to host the Oscars. I am blown away simply because this has been a goal on my list for a long time....To be able to join the legendary list of host that have graced that stage is unbelievable. I know my mom is smiling from ear to ear right now. I want to thank my family/friends/fans for supporting me & riding with me all this time....I will be sure to make this years Oscars a special one. I appreciate the @TheAcademy for the opportunity ....now it’s time to rise to the occasion #Oscars

A post shared by Kevin Hart (@kevinhart4real) on Dec 4, 2018 at 5:01pm PST

While the initial response was full of love and support, unfortunately for Hart, it wasn't long before his past comments came to haunt him.

Hart responded to the backlash Thursday with a video, stating, "I swear, man. our world is becoming beyond crazy. And I'm not gonna let the craziness frustrate me, or anger me, especially when I've worked hard to get to the mental space that I am at now. My team calls me, 'Oh my god, Kevin. The world is upset by tweets you did years ago.' My god. Guys – I'm almost 40 years old. If you don't believe that people change, grow, evolve as they get older, I don't know what to tell you. If you wanna hold people in a position where they always have to justify or explain their past, then do you. I'm the wrong guy, man. I'm in a great place. A great mature place, where all I do is spread positivity. If you're not doing that, you're not on my page."

View this post on Instagram

Stop looking for reasons to be negative...Stop searching for reasons to be angry....I swear I wish you guys could see/feel/understand the mental place that I am in. I am truly happy people....there is nothing that you can do to change that...NOTHING. I work hard on a daily basis to spread positivity to all....with that being said. If u want to search my history or past and anger yourselves with what u find that is fine with me. I’m almost 40 years old and I’m in love with the man that I am becoming. You LIVE and YOU LEARN & YOU GROW & YOU MATURE. I live to Love....Please take your negative energy and put it into something constructive. 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....Have a beautiful day

A post shared by Kevin Hart (@kevinhart4real) on Dec 6, 2018 at 3:20pm PST

Hart later posted an update saying that the Academy had called him with an ultimatum. “I just got a call from the Academy, and that call basically said, ‘Kevin, apologize for your tweets of old or we’re going to have to move on and find another host.’"

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I know who I am & so do the people closest to me. #LiveLoveLaugh

A post shared by Kevin Hart (@kevinhart4real) on Dec 6, 2018 at 7:31pm PST

Ultimately, Hart stated that he "chose to pass... on the apology," because he's already addressed his past tweets several times, and that he's moved on to a completely different place in his life, which, we now know is not on the Oscar stage. "The same energy that went into finding those old tweets, could be the same energy put into finding the response to the questions that have been asked years after years after years," said Hart in the video. He continued, "We feed into internet trolls and we reward them. I'm not gonna do it, man. I'm gonna be me, and I'm gonna stand my ground. Regardless, Academy, I'm thankful and appreciative of the opportunity. If it goes away, no harm no foul."