Kevin Hart Apologizes To LGBT Community, Steps Down As Oscars 2019 Host

Just two days after being announced as the host for the 2019 Academy Awards, actor Kevin Hart stepped down from hosting the event Thursday after facing backlash over a number of his old tweets using homophobic language. He also apologized for the comments.

“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,” he tweeted.

“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,” he added.

The comments in question include a 2011 tweet where he said "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.'"

In another tweet in 2010, he said someone’s profile photo looked "like a gay bill board for AIDS."

Earlier on Thursday, Hart had posted a video on Instagram informing people that the Academy had called and issued him an ultimatum to apologize for his past tweets.

“I just got a call from the Academy and that call basically said, ‘Kevin, apologize for your tweets of old or we’re going to have to move on to find another host,’ talking about the tweets from 2009, 2010,” he said in the video.

“I chose to pass on the apology. The reason why I passed is because I’ve addressed this several times. This is not the first time this has come up. I’ve addressed it. I’ve spoken on it. I’ve said where the rights and wrongs were. I’ve said who I am now versus who I was then. I’ve done it. 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 place in my life,” the actor added.

Criticizing internet trolls for digging up his old tweets, he said, “The same energy that went into finding those old tweets could be the same energy put into finding the response to the questions that have been asked years after years after years. We feed internet trolls and we reward them. I’m not going to do it, man. I’m going to be me. I’m going to stand my ground. Regardless, Academy, I’m thankful and appreciative of the opportunity. If it goes away, no harm, no foul.”

Post his announcement to step down, several people took to Twitter to suggest his replacement.