Kevin Hart Steps Down From Oscars Gig Over Old Homophobic Tweet

HOLLYWOOD, CA — Comedian Kevin Hart stepped down from his role as the host of the Oscars Thursday just two days after he was named the host. The abrupt turnabout stems from a controversy surrounding a homophobic tweet he sent in 2011.

"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," Hart tweeted Thursday. "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 & appreciation to the Academy. I hope we can meet again."

The 2011 tweet resurfaced this week when Hart was chosen to host the Academy Awards.

Hart drew criticism for a 2011 tweet "Yo if my son comes home & try's 2 play with my daughters doll house I'm going 2 break it over his head & say n my voice "stop that's gay." The tweet was deleted Wednesday or Thursday.

Related: Kevin Hart To Host The Oscars

In a video tweeted by The Cypher Podcast, Hart talks about a call he received from the Academy asking him to either apologize for the tweet or step down. He said he chose to step down rather than rehash and old controversy he felt he'd already addressed.

"I chose to pass. I passed on the apology. The reason that I passed is because I have addressed this several times," he said. "I am 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. We feed into internet trolls and reward them. I am not going to do it, man. I'm going to be me. I'll stand my ground."

Hart was named as the show's host on Tuesday.

"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 happen when it's suppose to," Hart wrote on his Instagram page. "I am so happy to say that the day has finally come for me to host the Oscars.

"I am blown away simply because this has been a goal on my list for a long time. To be able to join the legendary list of (hosts) that have graced that stage is unbelievable. I know my mom is smiling from ear to ear right now. I want to thank my family/friends/fans for supporting me & riding with me all this time. I will be sure to make this year's Oscars a special one. I appreciate (the Academy) for the opportunity. Now it's time to rise to the occasion."

On Twitter, supporters decried the pressure Hart faced to step down while others took him to task for refusing to apologize for his hurtful words.

"There must be something I didn't read because it looks like Hart apologized 8 yrs ago & then several other times since when the old tweets were retweeted again," wrote one supporter.
"Was he caught doing the same thing this year? 2017? How long does it take b4 apologies are accepted?"

"The bar is so low for straight men that literally all they have to do is offer a forced apology and they'll be forgiven, and this guy can't bring himself to do it," tweeted a critic.

City News Service contributed to this report. Photo: Kevin Hart attends the WSJ Tech D.Live at Montage Laguna Beach on November 13, 2018 in Laguna Beach, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for The Wall Street Journal and WSJ. Magazine)