Kevin Hart has stepped down as host of the 2019 Oscars.
Just a couple of days after he was announced as the host upcoming 91st Academy Awards on Hart has announced that he has decided to step down from hosting this year’s award’s show.
Multiple outlets report that following an outcry over his homophobic and transphobic comments, Hart has decided to step down from the hosting gig. The comedian took to Twitter Thursday to make the announcement.
“I have made the choice to step down from hosting this year’s Oscar’s,” Hart wrote. He continued with an apology to the LGBTQ community, “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 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
The decade-old offensive tweets resurfaced and with them a demand that he steps down as host. At first, Hart said he would not apologize for his comments, despite being given an ultimatum by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In a video shared on Instagram, he criticized people saying, “I’ve addressed it several times,” and added, “The same energy that went into finding those old tweets is the same energy that could have been put into finding the response to the questions that have been asked years after years.”
In a follow-up tweet, he added, “I’m sorry that I hurt people,” he continued in the following 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.”
