Well, that was fast.
On Wednesday Afternoon, comedian Kevin Hart was announced as the host of the upcoming 91st annual Academy Awards. Just over 24 hours later, he’s stepped down from the gig.
Between those bookends, Hart’s homophobic past resurfaced in a way that was impossible for Oscars viewers, many of whom are LGBTQ, to simply brush off.
Related: Kevin Hart Still Doesn’t Want A Gay Son
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Hart began frantically deleting old tweets — gay jokes, AIDS jokes, antigay slurs, and, you know, homophobia in general. It was far too little, far too late.
Here’s a small sample of the content he was attempting to scrub off his image:
On Twitter, Hart wrote:
“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. 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.”
That’s nice and all, but how about addressing some of the specifics? We can understand he’d like this whole situation to disappear as quickly as possible, but if there was ever a right moment to get candid about his self-described evolution, now might be it.
The Academy again seeks to cast a host for its biggest night of the year — a job nobody in Hollywood seemed to want at all.
Related: Oscars host Kevin Hart has been frantically deleting homophobic tweets from his Twitter page
The Academy has made no further comment on Hart or its current casting predicament.
An hour before Hart issued his Twitter apology and stepped town, he told a different story on Instagram, explaining, in so many words, how he’s the real victim here. He describes being phoned by the Acadamy, who demanded he apologize for the tweets to hold onto the hosting gig. His initial reaction was to dig in his heels — he had nothing to apologize for.
It would appear he had a change of heart.
Goattee
I don’t doubt that Kevin Hart has grown since he used queers as targets for cheap, mean jokes. But it’s clear that he’s stubborn and has poor judgement. Based upon his comments in the intervening years, one could conclude that he decided to refrain from taking that tone simply because he was getting pushback– and not because he had developed some empathy. I clicked on his Instagram video hoping he’d acquit himself by acknowledging that he understands why the targets of his hostile humor would object to his hosting the Oscars. I wanted to see growth, empathy and maturity. Because I do believe that people can fall prey to stigmatizing marginalized people. I do understand that the insecurity that accompanies toxic masculinity can make non-gender conforming people easy targets. Instead Kevin Hart showed no insight; instead he made it all about himself. He asserted, without revealing any indication, that he had grown. The toxic masculinity is further evident in that he has been adamant about not apologizing. I’d almost excuse him if his motivation was to avoid giving a rote “if anyone was offended” type of public apology. But he lacked the creativity his profession is capable of in finding some more skillful way of showing that he truly understands why people have rejected his past public comments. He betrayed a lazy and defiant attitude by recording his stream of consciousness prone in bed looking half awake. It felt as close to an FU as he could get without uttering those words. We need an environment where people can learn and grow. And I hope that eventually Kevin Hart will discover how to let his empathy flower.
Vince
His apology felt more like I’m the standard non-apology of … I’m sorry that you were offended.
Catholicslutbox
I read that the only reason the choose him to do it was because no one else wanted to.
roth99
I agree. He could have just had a clean apology and stated he now understands how hurtful such jokes are to LGBT people and he now knows that being gay is not a choice and has little or nothing to do with masculinity. He would also accept his son, if he had one, whatever the boy felt and decided about his sexuality. I also hate to see other minorities making fun and attacking others as well. 30 years ago, Mr. Heart would have to hand no opportunity to be the MC of the award presentations. I remember Bob Hope was there for the MC for years and he made few hurtful comments.
2ndcoming
The gay white community are hypocrites. This is why people hate gay people the double standard. The gay white community can be racist but have a problem when they receive the same treatment they dish out.
Jack Meoff
Go and crawl back under your rock
Wicked Dickie
True, very true. That’s why I don’t participate in gay pride events, because the gay community is not a wholesome, loving environment.
Vince
Is this your newest name hereIam? Lol ?
rray63
The gay white community, who exactly is the racist, look in the mirror.
roth99
I really do not know what that has to do with homophobia and making fun of minorities? In the past whites used to use blacks for their racist jokes and comments which was just as wrong as Heart’s joke of 10 years ago. Both are harmful to our society and to the communities that are targeted.
ocahan
Was there a “joke” about white gays? If there was, it would still be unacceptable. BTW, I think “2ndcumming” is more creative.
batesmotel
As harsh as your comment is and will no doubt receive backlash, you are right. I’ve been on enough apps to see the judgment that predominately seems to come from gay whites that are exceptionally racist without knowing it. That’s the worst kind. When you think you’re not a racist, but your choices on apps like Grindr and Scruff say otherwise.
JACVing
I’m sure that if a white gay man is hosting the Oscars and has history of making hurtful racists jokes, he would be fired too, but that’s not the case, right????
I hate double standards too, but people mistakes can’t be minimized because of other people mistakes.
Wicked Dickie
Congratulations, ya’ll won. I’m still not watching the Oscars anyway and a lot of Americans won’t, either.
Catholicslutbox
No one cares bro.
MISTERJETT
you’ll be missed………..not!!!!
misterjack
Short people are so jolly.
Bob LaBlah
Its a shame no member of the Wayans family has been approached with hosting the Oscars. Yes, nearly all members of the Wayans family have had gay jokes and such in their movies and tv shows but they did it in a way where it caused ALL who watched to laugh and it was not offensive. Remember the movie White Chicks and the character of Miss Mann (a supposed female gym teacher who was either on some strong steroids or a trans person who needed a bit more work) from Scary Move #1?
Cedric the Entertainer, Arsenio Hall, Robert Townsend…….what the HELL made them choose the sickening Kevin Hart is beyond me. I talked to a friend of mine in NYC last night about this and he said Kevin Hart was like “lil man” (short legs, stocky build and bubbly butt who always wears pearly white briefs) whose ass you enjoyed hitting for a minute but soon got tired of because of his inability to shut up while you were hittin’ it”. That Instagram makes me believe my friend was right in his comment.
Vince
Great examples. You can make fun of people without being cruel. One of my favorite comedians is Lisa lampanelli. She’s tossing out the f-bombs and the n-bombs all night and the audience loves it.
Bob LaBlah
Vince, in your case I strongly suggest to you not to quit your day job. You clearly have no sense of humor and your slant is obviously conservative. You make Newt Gingrich sound like Flava Flav.
Vince
I’m not racist but if I found out one of my kids was ever playing with any black kids I’d beat their asses like you wouldn’t believe.
I wonder how people would react to that? Hmm..
olfwob
I wonder too, or this one: “if my daughter would like to marry a black man, i would kick the shit out of her”. But hey, gay people are allways offended and can`t take a joke as a joke.
Mainere
@olfwob Hasty Generalization
Prax07
I don’t watch the Oscars, but if they had Madea host it… I’d definitely watch that.
Kangol
That was fast. Social media sometimes can be very helpful. He won’t learn, but maybe his agent(s) and wife and others who can get through to him will. I’m surprised that no one’s pointed out how his anti-gay hysteria suggests he probably has d!ck on the brain (and wants one in his mouth) anyway.
Mack
After reading some of the comments I would say we have some right wing trolls in here. Sad. but Hart’s comments were offensive and I’m sure if a gay comedian got up on the stage and started spouting off about “N” Hart would be the first one to have a fit.
RESCHI
Hart sucks. Period. For years, he has exploited gay people with his mainly Black, inner-city audiences knowing he could find sympatico there for his ignorant, often violent views. Imagine being Black AND gay, having to interface with the community that has made Hart and others like him rich. I don’t buy the cliched “growth” crap, either. He has known better for years. He would never get around a bunch of white people and make those stupid-ass comments about gay people. He was found in the alley and that’s where he should remain. He is not Oscar material. I guess next he will be a feature at the Vogue Ball, also. SMH.
MISTERJETT
reminds me of when Tracey Morgan said if he finds out his son is gay, he’d stab him. of course the audience thought it was the funniest thing they’d heard all day. later he apologized to the LGBT community, but my question is did he apologize to his son?
Osidemike
Kevin Hart needs to make amends, not just apologize to the gay community to save his career. Try volunteering at a gay health clinic or an organization for homeless gay youth, etc.
Doug
If Hart has “evolved” and changed his views on gay people, why didn’t he delete those tweets years ago?
RESCHI
Right on!
DrewD
Just bring back Tina and Amy.
Herman75
He was always a bit clownish and non-threatening, the way Hollywood likes some of their black entertainers.
RESCHI
Never liked him or Katy Williams or Steve Harvey; all of these “comics” appeal to a particular demographic that is very comfortable with homophobia, jokes about the disabled, etc. Furthermore, I don’t but the whole “growth” argument; it’s a cliched excuse. As entertainers, Hart and all of them know better because if they were not smart enough to observe it for themselves, SOMEONE warned them early on about the high presence of OUT gay persons as well as their ALLIES in the industry. So I call BS on the excuse. His ass just got served, that’s all. So he can return to his multi-million dollar mainly niche fan base and keep it real. Maybe he wants to be like Harvey in terms of scope but Harvey has his day to come, too.
Pete le meat
I doubt that Kevin Hart has evolved and I wonder if his agent wrote that apology.
Jack Meoff
So glad to see that there are consequences for people who make these kinds of comments these days. Now that entertainers can start losing gigs over it they will realise that they can’r be as arrogant as they have been in the past. Change happens slowly sometimes but it does happen.
NCSilverBear
So, I have to ask, why was he asked in the first place? Either the “Academy” is either stone deaf or they are homophobic. Don’t they do their due diligence when choosing a host? One more reason not to watch.
Trekbike
I’ll never understand how black racist hacks keep getting away with homophobic crap like this. He’s a pathetic loser that got lucky spewing his type of hatred. If we’re lucky and If he’s like all the other black artists, he’ll go broke and end up homeless. I’ve had several black bfs and they have to deal with this crap in the black community on a daily basis. Sad!
djmcgamester
As someone who doesn’t watch the Oscars, I’m still glad this guy isn’t hosting it. Not sure it’s a “non-apology” as someone said. He said he’s sorry for his insensitive words and that he hurt people. Is he supposed to say “I’m sorry I called that guy a fat fag. I know it’s wrong to comment on people’s weight and sexuality in a cruel way”? That just sounds ridiculous.
Does he mean what he says? Who knows. Sometimes getting blowback from your actions is what forces growth. Or not. Either way, I’m not in his head to figure it out.
batesmotel
I’ve always liked Kevin Hart. Still do. He has evolved since those tweets years ago, but he needs to evolve a bit more. It’s really only been the last year or two where the pro-gay thing really shot up.
LilMesican
I’ll admit, I’m not a Kevin Hart fan. Other than Jumanji, I find him annoying. I’m pretty sure he would have sparked up the Oscars.
Now, let’s be honest, many of us have said a gay joke. Maybe a racial one. Made fun of someone. If not now, when we were young.
If he did a well intentioned ‘I was young and stupid’ apology. But it was so low maintenance. In bed, no shirt… Was he trying to attract the gay community. Look at my bare chest, just woke up look, adorable, aren’t I?
It didn’t work.
davidjohng
I’m so sick of str8 black male comedians. Hart, Tracey Morgan, Eddy Murphy…all homophobic in the most extreme ways. The only reason they’re that extreme is that it’s acceptable in the community they come from. A community btw that is constantly crying about exclusion and bias and yet doesn’t get a damn when the same thing is applied to other communities. I’m old enough to remember reading Eddy Murphy in an interview in the mid-80s complaining about the lack of black roles in Hollywood and literally in the next paragraph saying something derogatory about gay people. Apparently this egotistical moron couldn’t see the outrageousness in the hypocrisy. I think basically him and these other comedians are very insecure about themselves and their masculinity and that gets projected out on the LGBT community. Thank God, it looks like the day you can publically, without consequences, bash the LGBT community is over.
linniejr
I’ll say this about the whole thing, whether or not he made these rants, I wouldn’t have watched the Oscar Awards knowing he would host. I don’t care that he is black like myself, I just don’t like anything he does. After watching his movie Soul Plane, I haven’t liked anything “Kevin Hart” since.