Kevin Hart will not be hosting the 91st Academy Awards.
The decision comes after his past homophobic tweets and comments were brought into question.
On his Twitter account, Hart said, “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 said he received a call from the Academy, and they asked for him to apologize. The comedian refused to do so at first, because he had already done so in the past.
“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. I’ve done it. I’ve done it,” he said.
Hart has been vocal about his view on homosexuality. During his 2010 comedy special, Seriously Funny, he jokes about what he’d do if his son was gay.
Regardless, Hart thanks the academy for the opportunity.
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