Kevin Hart Ain’t Hosting the Oscars Anymore

By
Sasha S
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Kevin Hart at the "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle" film premiere, Los Angeles, Dec 2017. Photo by John Salangsang/REX/Shutterstock (9276694l)

The Oscars are once again in search of a host…

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced last week that Kevin Hart would take the hosting reins for its 2019 ceremony.

At the time, the Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle star stated on Instagram that the gig had been a goal of his for many years.

View this post on Instagram

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 happen when it’s suppose to. I am so happy to say that the day has finally come for me to host the Oscars. I am blown away simply because this has been a goal on my list for a long time….To be able to join the legendary list of host that have graced that stage is unbelievable. I know my mom is smiling from ear to ear right now. I want to thank my family/friends/fans for supporting me & riding with me all this time….I will be sure to make this years Oscars a special one. I appreciate the @TheAcademy for the opportunity ….now it’s time to rise to the occasion #Oscars

A post shared by Kevin Hart (@kevinhart4real) on

News of the comedian’s role was not received entirely positively, with the LGBTQ community condemning his selection for homophobic comments he had made in the past, including, “If I can prevent my son from being gay, I will.”

Hart responded with an Instagram post in which he told critics to stop being negative.

View this post on Instagram

Stop looking for reasons to be negative…Stop searching for reasons to be angry….I swear I wish you guys could see/feel/understand the mental place that I am in. I am truly happy people….there is nothing that you can do to change that…NOTHING. I work hard on a daily basis to spread positivity to all….with that being said. If u want to search my history or past and anger 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 to be said. I LOVE EVERYBODY…..ONCE AGAIN EVERYBODY. If you choose to not believe me then that’s on you….Have a beautiful day

A post shared by Kevin Hart (@kevinhart4real) on

Following the outcry, Kevin has now stepped down as host of the 91st Academy Awards and issued an apology to the community.

Following Kevin’s decision, President of LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD, Sarah Kate Ellis, said: “Kevin Hart shouldn’t have stepped down; he should have stepped up. Hart’s apology to LGBTQ people is an important step forward, but he missed a real opportunity to use his platform and the Oscars stage to build unity and awareness.”

Oscars, always so controversial…