Two days after been named host of the Academy Awards, Kevin Hart has stepped down following an outcry over past homophobic tweets by the comedian.
Capping a swift fallout, Hart wrote on Twitter that he was withdrawing as Oscars host because he didn't want to be a distraction. "I sincerely apologise to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past," he wrote.
Hart stepped aside about an hour after refusing to apologise for tweets that resurfaced after he was announced as Oscars host on Tuesday. In a video on Instagram, Hart said the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences gave him an ultimatum: apologise or "we're going to have to move on and find another host."
"I chose to pass on the apology," Hart said. "The reason why I passed is because I've addressed this several times."
The film academy did not respond to requests for comment on Thursday evening.
Hart has since deleted some of the anti-gay tweets, mostly dated from 2009-2011. But they had already been screen-captured and shared online. In 2011, he wrote in a since-deleted tweet: "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 an earlier post Thursday, Hart wrote on Instagram that critics should "stop being negative" about his earlier anti-gay remarks.
"I'm almost 40 years old. If you don't believe that people change, grow, evolve? I don't know what to tell you," Hart said, adding in all-caps: "I love everybody."
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In 2018, US comedian Jimmy Kimmel was the host of the Academy Awards, after also serving in the role in 2017. AFP -
Jimmy Kimmel, right, at the 2017 Oscars, watches on while 'La La Land' producer Jordan Horowitz shows the card stating that 'Moonlight' won the Best Picture Award. AFP -
Chris Rock hosted the Academy Awards in 2016, with an opening monologue criticising the lack of black acting nominees. AFP -
In 2015, Oscars host Neil Patrick Harris did a musical performance along with Anna Kendrick. AFP -
In 2014, the award ceremony's host Ellen DeGeneres clicked the star-studded selfie that went viral. -
Seth MacFarlane opened the 2013 Oscars with a 19-minute monologue that was criticised by many as racist and sexist. AFP -
The 2012 Oscars host Billy Crystal has emceed the event a total of nine times. AFP -
James Franco and Anne Hathaway's hosting of the 2011 event was criticised as among the worst Oscar telecasts. AFP -
In 2010, veteran actors Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin played hosts at the Oscars ceremony. AFP -
The 2009 event was highly praised for host Hugh Jackman's opening musical performance. AP Photo
Hart's attitudes about homosexuality were also a well-known part of his stand-up act. In the 2010 special "Seriously Funny," he said "one of my biggest fears is my son growing up and being gay."
"Keep in mind, I'm not homophobic, I have nothing against gay people, do what you want to do, but me, being a heterosexual male, if I can prevent my son from being gay, I will," Hart said.
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GLAAD, the advocacy group for LGBT rights, had said on Thursday that it reached out to Oscars broadcaster ABC, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences and Hart's management to "discuss Kevin's anti-LGBT rhetoric and record."
Actress Jamie Lee Curtis wrote: "Homophobia is not positivity." Comedian and actor Billy Eichner said "a simple, authentic apology showing any bit of understanding or remorse would have been so simple."
It's not the first time an Oscars host has been potentially derailed by anti-gay remarks. Ahead of the 2012 Academy Awards, producer Brett Ratner, who had been paired with host Eddie Murphy, resigned days after using a gay slur at a film screening. Murphy soon after exited, as well.
