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Well that was quick.
Just two days ago comedian Kevin Hart announced that he was hosting the 2019 Academy Awards.
For years I have been asked if I would ever Host the Oscars and my answer was always the same…I said that it would be the opportunity of a lifetime for me as a comedian and that it will… https://t.co/GFCpD7yH6M
— Kevin Hart (@KevinHart4real) December 5, 2018
Hart’s hiring received intense backlash from the LGBTQ community after his old homophobic tweets resurfaced on the social media site.
https://twitter.com/efie/status/1070485741006860288
https://twitter.com/adambvary/status/1070451517092651008
https://twitter.com/jaydmcgill/status/1070756033574985728
Maya Angelou once said “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” Guess @KevinHart4real is a homophobe. This will be the first @TheAcademy show I won’t be watching since I was child. 😢 #homophobia pic.twitter.com/sFkn2Xc5I3
— Bob (@rayoflightbobby) December 6, 2018
Tonight, Hart took to Twitter to announce that he had stepped down from hosting the Oscars because he didn’t want to be a distraction.
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