Kevin Hart steps down as Academy Awards 2019 ceremony host as his anti-gay tweets resurface

Kevin Hart has decided to step down as the host of the 91st Academy Awards ceremony after his tussle with the Academy over apologosing for his earlier anti-gay tweets. Though he has apologised for the same on Twitter now, he also decided to relinquish his hosting duties.

Hart made the announcement on Twitter, apologising to the LGBTQI community for his “insensitive words” in the past.

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

He also apologised for have hurt people, hoping that he meets with the opportunity to host the Oscars again someday.

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

The comedian had earlier refused to apologise for his homophophic statements, despite the Academy’s ultimatum. He posted a video on Instagram where he said that the Academy contacted him and asked him to apogise for his tweets from 2009 and 2010, or else they would be looking for another host. He said, “I chose to pass on the apology. The reason why I passed is because I have addressed this several times. This is not the first time this has come up. I have addressed it. I have spoken on it. I have said where the rights and wrongs were.”

In a previous Instagram video, Hart addressed escalating concerns over a long history of hate speech and derogatory jokes about the LGBTQ community on social media, resurfaced in national news after he was named the host of the Oscars on Thursday.

(With inputs from Indo-Asian News Service)