The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hart steps down as Oscars host
Actor didn’t want anti-gay tweets to overshadow awards.
Just two days after naming Kevin Hart its host, Hart has decided not to do it, in part because the Academy demanded he apologize for anti-gay Tweets he made from 2009 to 2011.
He also said in a 2010 comedy special that one of his greatest fears was his son being gay. Critics have also cited his admittance of domestic abuse with his first wife.
Hart, on social media Thursday, said he has already apologized for these jokes numerous times in the past and doesn’t want to have to go through that again.
“I’m not going to go back,” he said on Instagram. “I’ve moved on and I’m in a completely different space in my life.”
His rationale for not doing the Oscar telecast early next year: “We feed Internet trolls and reward them. I’m not going to do it.”
Late Thursday, he made the move official: “I’m sorry that I hurt people,” he said on Twitter. “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. “
He added: “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.”
One of the Tweets cited by Buzzfeed News that Hart deleted this week: “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.”
Since those tweets, Hart’s career has been on the rise, with a string of hit movies, many shot in metro Atlanta including “Ride Along” and the recent “Night School.”