Comedian Kevin Hart announced that he would no longer be hosting the 2019 Oscars after old jokes he made about gay people surfaced.
“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,” Hart posted to Twitter late Thursday night. “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
[Opinion: The Oscars changes will end up making no one happy]
Hart recently received backlash for old social media posts that contained jokes that were perceived as anti-gay and homophobic.
“I’m sorry that I hurt people.. I am evolving and want to continue to do so,” Hart said in a second tweet. “My goal is to bring people together not tear us apart. Much love & appreciation to the Academy. I hope we can meet again.”
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
In one tweet from 2009, Hart called someone a “fat faced fag,” according to the Hollywood Reporter. In 2010, Hart wrote that someone’s profile picture looked “like a gay bill board for AIDS.”
“Yo if my son comes home & try’s 2 play with my daughters doll house I’m going 2 break it over his head & say n my voice ‘stop that’s gay,’” Hart wrote in another tweet from 2011.
Ben Shapiro, editor in chief of the right-wing Daily Wire, suggested that President Trump host the Oscars.
“The Oscars should just let Trump host. He’d double their ratings, their show is going to be all about him anyway, and he’d be far more entertaining than any of their woke alternatives,” Shapiro tweeted shortly after Hart’s announcement.
The Oscars should just let Trump host. He’d double their ratings, their show is going to be all about him anyway, and he’d be far more entertaining than any of their woke alternatives.
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) December 7, 2018
