After the Academy announced Kevin Hart as the host of this years Oscars, Hart received backlash for past tweets containing anti-gay jokes, slurs, and sentiments.
In a 2009 tweet he called someone a “fat faced fag”, in 2010, Hart stated someone’s profile picture “look like a gay billboard for AIDS” and in 2011 stated “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.'”
Other jokes such as in his 2010 stand up comedy special ‘Seriously Funny’ where he made comments about not wanting his son to be gay have all resurfaced and left many upset and the Academy wanting an apology. Hart stated that he had already addressed those tweets. He said he would not tell those jokes anymore “because when I said it, the times weren’t as sensitive as they are now”.
Shortly after saying he would not apologize he announced he would step down from the position of hosting the Oscars.
“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,”
Shortly after he added:
“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.”
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
