Kevin Hart was scheduled to be the host of the Academy Awards. After some old tweets resurfaced, he has now stepped down as the host.
Hart took to Twitter to announce his decision just after midnight. He apologized to the LGBTQ community for the “insensitive words from my past” that were uncovered in tweets from years past.
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
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
Initially when the tweets surfaced Hart declined to apologize. He even took to Instagram and refused to cave to the pressure. In the video he said he will not refuse internet trolls with a response.
The tweets in question are almost a decade old. Per The Hollywood Reporter, one read, “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.’”
Per Daily Caller:
It’s too bad Hart caved and issued an apology. You can’t give an inch to people on the internet when they come for your neck. He was the man chosen to lead the 91st Oscars, and the Academy should have had the stones to stand by him. This is a stupid issue to get upset about and it’s getting really annoying.
How many more times are we going to have to see stuff like this happen? It regularly occurs with famous athletes, and it’s just as stupid when it happens to them. Hart should have held the line. I’m sure he thought the decision to eventually apologize was a smart business call, but it’s just giving into the online mob.
No replacement for Hart has been announced at this time. The show will air Feb. 24 on ABC.
The PC culture gains another victim. At what point do they draw the line? The world was a different place ten years ago. Still, he was attacked for the remarks that were commonplace at the time.