Kevin Hart has stepped down as host of the 2019 Academy Awards amid a growing controversy over several homophobic comments he has made in the past in both his stand up act and on social media.
Hart was announced as the host of the Oscar telecast on Wednesday, and almost immediately there was pushback over old statements from Hart that expressed anti-gay sentiments and used homophobic slurs. But as the outcry over several twitter comments from 2009 through 2011 began to grow, many of the offending tweets were purged from Hart’s account.
Among those who spoke up about the offensive tweets and Hart’s inappropriateness as host were entertainment journalist Mark Harris.
And he's an especially out-of-sync choice for a year in which Rami Malek, Melissa McCarthy, Olivia Colman, Mahershala Ali, Richard E. Grant, Emma Stone, and Rachel Weisz, and Lucas Hedges could all get nominated for playing LGBTQ characters.
— Mark Harris (@MarkHarrisNYC) December 6, 2018
In an Instagram video released yesterday evening from Australia, where Hart was touring, the comic stated that the Academy had asked for an apology for the comments or they would find themselves another host and that he was refusing to apologize. Hart stated –
I passed. The reason I passed is because I’ve addressed this several times. This is not the first time this has come up. Regardless, to the Academy, I’m thankful for the opportunity, if it goes away, no harm, no foul.
A short while later, Hart confirmed that the Academy had indeed given him the boot.
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
This is not the first time that the Academy has lost a host due to homophobic comments. In 2011, the Academy had chosen movie producer Brett Ratner to produce that year’s telecast. However, shortly after getting the job, Ratner stated “rehearsal is for fags,” while on a press junket for his then upcoming film Tower Heist. Ratner stepped down as producer of the Oscars show shortly afterwadrs, and that year’s host, comedian Eddie Murphy, also dropped out in a show of solidarity with Ratner.
Meanwhile, the Academy is back to square one with their search for a host for the Oscars. The Academy Awards is schedule for February 24.
