Kevin Hart Steps Down as Oscars Host After Refusing Academy Demand to Apologize For Past Anti-Gay Comments

Kevin Hart is stepping down as Oscars host just two days after the Academy announced he would take on the high-profile gig. The move came amid a mounting controversy after old tweets surfaced in which Hart expressed anti-gay sentiments and used homophobic terminology and slurs.

In a tweet late Thursday, Hart officially withdrew from hosting the Oscars, something he had long wanted to do."I sorry the I hurt people," he wrote. "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 in the evening, Hart had posted an Instagram video from Sydney, Australia, where he is touring, saying that he had refused a demand from the Academy to apologize. He said   the Academy gave him an ultimatum: apologize for his old tweets or step down as Oscars host. 

"I passed. The reason I passed is because I've addressed this several times. This is not the first time this has come up," he said. "Regardless, to the Academy, I'm thankful for the opportunity, if it goes away, no harm, no foul," Hart added.

Read More (...)