American actor and comedian Kevin Hart, 39, does not want to moderate the Oscar awards ceremony in February. Hart shared this on Thursday night on Twitter. Background is criticism of Harts as anti-gay Tweets and jokes from the years 2009 to 2011.
At the same time, the comedian apologized to the gay and lesbian LGBTQ community "for my insensitive words from the past." He had opted for a retreat to host the Oscar gala, "because I do not want to be a distraction on a night to be celebrated by so many great, talented artists."
This year's Oscar's ... this is because of this many amazing talented artists. I sincerely apologize to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past.
- Kevin Hart (@ KevinHart4real) December 7, 2018On Tuesday evening, Hart announced on Instagram and Twitter, "I'm very happy to announce that the day is finally here to host the Oscars." This has been one of his goals for a long time. Hart moderated the MTV Video Music Awards. The father of three is known from movies like "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle," "Ride Along," "The Knight Coach," or "Central Intelligence."
The Oscar Academy had just announced two days earlier that the black US comedian will be the moderator for the first time in February. The job is considered one of the most sought after and difficult in the film industry. Hours before his announced retreat Hart had said he would not apologize for his comments at the time.
Hart's attitude to homosexuality has long been part of his stand-up comedy program. In 2010, he said on the show "Seriously Funny," "One of my biggest fears is that my son will grow up and be gay." He is not homophobic and has nothing against gays, "do whatever you want, but if, as a heterosexual man, I can keep my son from becoming gay, I'll do it."
LGBTQ lobby group GLAAD said on Thursday it had sought contact with the Academy, broadcaster ABC and Harts Management to discuss its "anti-LGBTQ statements". According to Hart, the Oscar Academy has given him an ultimatum: Sorry or we have to find another moderator.
Check out this post on Instagram
I am looking forward to hearing from you ... I swear I wish you guys could see / feel / understand the mental place that I am in. I am truly happy people .... there's nothing you can do to change that ... NOTHING. I work hard on a daily basis. If u want to search my history or past and find yourselves with what u find that is fine with me. I'm almost 40 years old and I'm in love with the man that I am becoming. You LIVE and YOU LEARN & YOU GROW & YOU MATURE. I live to love .... Please take your negative energy and put it into something constructive. Please .... What's understood should never have been said. I LOVE EVERYBODY ..... ONCE AGAIN EVERYBODY. If you do not believe me that's on you .... Have a beautiful day
A post shared by Kevin Hart (@ kevinhart4real) on Dec 6, 2018 at 3:20 PST
On Instagram, Hart wrote that his critics should stop looking for reasons to be negative: "I'm almost 40 years old, so if you do not think people are changing, growing up, growing, then I do not know what I should tell you. " In capital letters he added: "I LOVE EVERYBODY".