Comedian Kevin Hart Quits As Oscar Host After Old Tweets Resurface
Comedian Kevin Hart announced he would no longer host the 91st Academy Awards. He explained he does “not want to be a distraction on a night that should be celebrated by so many amazing talented artists.” Hart was accused of homophobia after a number of Tweets from 2009 to 2010 resurfaced.
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
Hart had previously announced he would be the host of the upcoming Oscar’s on December 4th.
For years I have been asked if I would ever Host the Oscars and my answer was always the same…I said that it would be the opportunity of a lifetime for me as a comedian and that it will… https://t.co/GFCpD7yH6M
— Kevin Hart (@KevinHart4real) December 5, 2018
However, shortly after his announcement, Hart was accused of homophobia based off of Tweets he made between 2009 and 2010. It all came to a head when The Guardian writer Benjamin Lee posted old screenshots of gay jokes Hart posted on Twitter almost a decade ago. Also included were parts of skits that contain gay jokes from stand-up sets he did in the past.
I wonder when Kevin Hart is gonna start deleting all his old tweets ??? pic.twitter.com/ZbYG6SI3Xm
— Benjamin Lee (@benfraserlee) December 5, 2018
Aaaand I wrote about why Kevin Hart’s homophobia isn’t welcome at next year’s Oscars https://t.co/INvu15kZHz
— Benjamin Lee (@benfraserlee) December 5, 2018
Hart has previously explained his jokes about homosexuality. In an interview with Rolling Stone he addressed one about a fear he has as a Dad.
“The funny thing within that joke is it’s me getting mad at my son because of my own insecurities — I panicked. It has nothing to do with him, it’s about me. That’s the difference between bringing a joke across that’s well thought-out and saying something just to ruffle feathers. I wouldn’t tell that joke today, because when I said it, the times weren’t as sensitive as they are now. I think we love to make big deals out of things that aren’t necessarily big deals because we can.”
When the backlash against Kevin Hart started to heat up. The comedian took to Instagram to stand his ground on this issue. He explained that he had “evolved” and he wasn’t sorry. He went on to state that people change:
“Guys, I’m almost 40 years old, if you don’t believe that people change, grow, evolve as they get older, I don’t know what to tell you. If you want to hold people in a position where they always have to justify or explain the past, then do you. I’m the wrong guy, man. I’m in a great place. A great mature place where all I do is spread positivity.”
After more pressure mounted, Hart again took to Instagram to explain that he’d had a call from the Academy about his past jokes and Tweets and that they demand he apologize or step down as the host. Hart stood his ground on the issue:
He explained his decision not to apologize:
“So, I just got a call from the Academy. That call basically said, ‘Kevin apologize for your Tweets of old or we are going to have move on and find another host.’ Talking about the tweets from 2009 to 2010. I chose to pass. I passed on the apology. The reason why I passed is because I’ve addressed this several times. This is not the first time this has come up. I’ve addressed it. I’ve spoken on it. I’ve said where the rights and wrongs were. I’ve said who I am now versus who I was then. I’ve done it. I’ve done it. I’m not going to continue to go back and tap into the days of old when I moved on and I’m in a complete different space in my life.”
He went on to say that “we feed internet trolls and we reward them. I’m not going to do it, man. I’m going to be me. I’m going to stand my ground.”
But this wasn’t to last. After several more hours, the comedian pivoted. He took to Twitter to apologize for his “insensitive words.”
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
He continued his apologies with a follow-up Tweet, where he went farther in his apologies and highlighted his goals and evolution.
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
He would then Tweet out a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. about the “ultimate measure of a man.”
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King, Jr.
— Kevin Hart (@KevinHart4real) December 7, 2018
Reactions from fellow Comedians were mixed, Some initially appeared to back Hart in his role as a comedian who offends.
The only time I’m offended by a comedian is when they apologise.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) December 7, 2018
There’s no way he heard the question. https://t.co/2isvUTShxl
— Anthony Jeselnik (@anthonyjeselnik) December 7, 2018
I stand in solidarity with Kevin Hart and with every comedian who is now deleting all of their old tweets.
— Rob Schneider (@RobSchneider) December 7, 2018
So sad to hear Kevin Hart has backed out of hosting the Oscars. Now I’ll have to find another reason not to watch them.
— Ryan Stiles (@WhoseRyanStiles) December 7, 2018
Some folks on Twitter also pointed to the lack of Outrage for other “celebrities” who’ve committed real crimes and yet still easily find work in the industry and feel no real pressure to drop out of major events.
If Hollywood’s using Kevin Hart’s tweets as the employment litmus test that means James Gunn and Lena Dunham are outta here too, right?
— Torraine Walker (@TorraineWalker) December 7, 2018
Weinstein locked up yet?
Woody Allen & Polanski working or nah?
Marky Mark ever answer for those hate crimes he committed?
I just want to know where the red line is.
— Torraine Walker (@TorraineWalker) December 7, 2018
Other people such as #OscarsSoWhite founder April Reign blamed Hart’s willingness to double down as the reason for his troubles.
If Kevin Hart had made the EXACT same apology during the controversy that he did after he stepped down, there’s a good chance he would still be hosting the #Oscars.
His commitment to intolerance superseded his desire to have what he called his “dream job,” which he had secured.
— April (@ReignOfApril) December 7, 2018
So far the Academy has kept a tight lip on their reaction. Though it’s expected comments will be made soon.
What do you think? Has the outrage mob gone too far? Or is this the natural course of things since the firing of James Gunn over old blog posts and Tweets? Gunn has found new employment as he will be working on Warner Bros. new Suicide Squad film. Let me know in the comments below!
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