...
By Janice Williams
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Kevin Hart is out as host of the 2019 Academy Awards. Hart stepped down from the post after homophobic tweets he wrote several years ago resurfaced.
Hart informed fans the Academy requested him to apologize for the tweets or he'd be replaced. Initially, a frustrated Hart shared an Instagram video refusing to say sorry after explaining he'd already apologized for the comments years ago. "Guys, I'm nearly 40 years old. If you don't believe that people change, grow, evolve as they get older, I don't know what to tell you," he said on Thursday night.
"If you want to hold people in a position where they always have to justify the past, do you. I'm the wrong guy, man," he continued.
Read More on Entertainment
Later, Hart gave a formal apology for the anti-LGBTQ tweets and announced his decision to step down from the hosting position on Friday morning. "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," he wrote on Twitter.
He added: "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."
The Academy has yet to make a statement on Hart's resignation, nor has it made any mention as to who will replace the actor-comedian as the 91st annual Academy Awards host in February.
With Hart out of the running, a number of people have started to share their top picks for the Oscars host, including Kathy Griffin, who suggested a female should helm the show. "I'm gonna pull for women," Griffin told Variety on Thursday. "Maybe a woman of color who isn't homophobic, is that too crazy?"
Some people on social media have suggested the likes of Wanda Sykes, Julia Roberts, Tiffany Haddish and Maya Rudolph to host the show. Even Beto O'Rourke, Texas' Democratic Representatives contender in the 2019 primaries, got a recommendation.
See below for a few names folks endorsed to host the 2019 Oscars.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines