Kevin Hart Steps Down as Oscars Host Following Backlash From Homophobic Tweets

By: Dec. 07, 2018
Get Access To Every Broadway Story

Unlock access to every one of the hundreds of articles published daily on BroadwayWorld by logging in with one click.




Existing user? Just click login.

It was recently announced that Kevin Hart would host the 2019 Oscars, but shortly after, past social media posts of his began to circulate, prompting backlash.

Hart had posted to Twitter, several years ago, concerning comments that were deemed homophobic.

Following the backlash, he initially took to Instagram to defend himself, claiming that "people change, grow, evolve."

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

However, six hours later, the actor and comedian reconsidered, and posted on Twitter that he has decided to step down.

"I sincerely apologize to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past," he wrote.

The OSCARS will air on February 24 on ABC.

Hart most recently starred in the film "Night School" alongside Tiffany Haddish, which opened at number one at the box office when it debuted and marked the biggest comedy opening weekend of 2018.

Hart also currently has a first-look film deal with Universal Studios. His other projects include "The Next Level" and "Hart of the City" on Comedy Central, and shows like "Cold as Balls" and "What the Fit" on the LOL Network, Hart's streaming comedy platform.



Videos