(Photo Credit: Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)
Kevin Hart has decided to step down from hosting the Oscars, one day before accepting the opportunity and telling the world that it was one of his dreams.
The decision came after old homophobic tweets surfaced online, causing tons of backlash from the LGBTQ community.
Initially Hart decided not to apologize, and instead pull out of the show altogether in an video on Instagram.
“My team calls me, ‘Oh my God, Kevin, everyone’s upset by tweets you did years ago,’” he said. “Guys, I’m nearly 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. If you want to hold people in a position where they always have to justify the past, do you. I’m the wrong guy, man.”
He then returned with another video, stating why he refused to apologize after given an altimatum by the academy.
“I chose to pass on the apology,” he said. “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.”
Hours later, the comedian then appeared on Twitter, and decided to apologize for words he said years ago.
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
Watch Ebro in the Morning’s comments on the story below.