In just two days after being announced as host for the 91st Oscars next year, comedian/actor Kevin Hart has stepped down as the show’s host following his past anti-gay tweets, which resurfaced online.
Kevin shared on Twitter, late Thursday announcing his step down and also apologizing to the LGBTQ community for the past tweets, “I have made the choice to step down from hosting this year’s Oscar’s…this is because I do not want to be distracted 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.”
The tweets surrounding this whole controversy includes, a 2011 tweet Hart made where he wrote, ” Yo if my son comes home & try’s 2 play with my daughter’s doll house i’m going 2 break it over his head & say n my voice ‘stop that’s gay.’ In a 2010 tweet too, Hart is seen making fan of the gay community in tweet he described someone’s profile picture to look like “a gay billboard for AIDS.”
Per the argument of some of Hollywood profile personalities, Hart’s past tweet is a total condemnation of what the Oscars stands for with regards to several attempts made to include all persons regardless one’s sexual orientation. Pose star Indya Moore wrote in some part of her lengthy tweet addressing Hart, saying, ” You @KevinHart4real are NOT FIT a model or representative to host for the @TheAcademy which CELEBRATES & WELCOMES talent of all genders, sexualities, & ethnicities.”
Journalist Mark Harris also tweeted expressing his concern on the choice of Hart as host at a crucial moment where the year under review has seen possible Oscar actor contenders play roles that revolves around LBGTQ characters.
Earlier in the day before announcing his step down, hart made a video for the gram where he recorded himself talking about the cruel part the world plays in bringing someone down with things that only happened in past times, knowing perfectly well that human beings are eligible to change.
“My team calls me, ‘Oh my, God, kevin, this world is upset about tweets you did years ago.’ Guys. I’m 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,” said Hart. “If you want to hold people in a position where they always have to justify or explain their 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.”
The Academy is now back to the spot of finding a new host for the 91st show come February 24.
