Kevin Hart Steps Down As Oscars Host

Want the latest news and gossip at your fingertips? Text QC to 71007 to join our text club!

Source: Prince Williams / Getty

Well so much for that.

48 hours after Kevin Hart accepted the position as host of the 91st Academy Awards, he’s stepping down as host after anti-gay remarks he made on his Twitter account back in 2011 and his refusal to apologize for them.

“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,” Hart wrote.

The Latest Music, Celebrities and Interviews: Follow @‘927theblock’

He added seconds later, “I’m sorry the 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.”

Earlier on Thursday, Hart said he received a call from the Academy giving him an ultimatum: Apologize for his old tweets or step down as Oscars host.

“I chose to pass, I passed on the apology. 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,” he said. “I’ve done it, I’ve done it. I’m not going to continue to go back and tap into the days of old. I’ve moved on, I’m in a completely different space in my life. The same energy that went into finding those old tweets, could be the same energy put into finding the response to the questions that have been asked years after years after years.

“We feed internet trolls and reward them. I’m not going to do it, man. I’m going to be me, and I’m going to stand my ground,” Hart added. “Regardless, to the Academy, I’m thankful and appreciative of the opportunity. If it goes away, no harm, no foul.”

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

The Latest:

• Urban One Presents 'REPRESENT: The Next 100 Years Of Black History Month'
• ‘His & Hers’ Exclusive: Crystal Fox Talks THAT Shocking Plot Twist, How She Found Out Whodunit, Connecting With Black Mamas & More
• Judge Won’t Block DHS Policy Limiting Congress’s Ability To Oversee ICE
• Bloop-Bye Wig! NeNe Leakes Fans Blast ‘Bitter’ Bethenny Frankel’s Take On Icon’s Bravo Return, Says She Was Told NeNe Was ‘Toxic’
• Morris Brown College Reinstates President Dr. Kevin James One Week After Firing Him Abruptly Without Cause
• Wayda Minute, Now! Ari Fletcher Accused Of Faking Twitch Tea To Copiously Cash In On Jayda Cheaves’ Lil Baby Rumor
• What Part Of ‘What Would Jesus Do’ Involves Being An ICE Agent?
• LeBron James’ Legendary NBA All-Star Streak Comes To An End As Father Time Knocks
• She Shoots, She Scores! Angel Reese Joins ‘Hunting Wives’ Cast For Season 2 After Shooting Her Shot At Show’s Creator
• The 75-Country Visa Freeze Is Also A Hit On HBCUs

Grand Opening, Grand Closing: Kevin Hart Steps Down As Oscars Host was originally published on ronetheboxhouston.staging.go.ione.nyc