Actor and comedian Kevin Hart announced on Friday he would back out of hosting the Academy Awards after homophobic tweets he posted several years ago surfaced.
The Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, are the world’s most important annual film awards.
Hart, who starred in Ride Along and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, said he stepped down because he did not want to be a distraction during the event and he apologised to the LGBTQ community.
The 39-year old also said he had grown as a person since then and is now a different man.
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
Before he withdrew, Hart had previously said he did not want to apologise after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which organises Hollywood’s annual Oscar awards ceremony, asked him to.
In a video posted on Instagram, Hart had said he had grown since he posted the controversial tweets.
“The reason why I passed is I’ve addressed this several times… 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, ” Hart said.
“We feed on Internet trolls and we reward them. I’m not going to do it. I’m going to stand my ground,” he added.
“Regardless Academy, I’m thankful for the opportunity. If it goes away, no harm, no foul.”
Source: Al Jazeera
