Three days after he was named as the host the 2019 Academy Awards, American comedian Kevin Hart announced that he would be stepping down from the role, following a series of his making perceived homophobic jokes were unearthed.
A number of LGTBQ people expressed their angst at him having the opportunity to host the Oscars after he had made insensitive jokes about homosexuality in the past. In the tweets, some of them dating back to 2011, he joked that he would be upset if his son turned out to be gay.
And the Oscar for most homophobic host ever goes to… pic.twitter.com/fw9DTjSrhx
— Benjamin Lee (@benfraserlee) December 5, 2018
Hart had first revealed on Instagram that received a phone call from the Academy asking him to apologize which he refused to do so.
“I chose to pass, I passed on the apology. The reason I chose to pass is because I’ve addressed this several times, this is not the first time this has come up, I’ve addressed this… I’m not going to continue to go back and tap into the days of old when I’ve moved on and I’m in a completely different space in my life,” he said.
However a few hours later, he announced he was stepping down so as not to “be a distraction”.
“I have made the choice to step down from hosting this year’s Oscars. 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. 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 and appreciation to the Academy. I hope we can meet again.”
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
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by 208headlines