Kevin Hart is currently reflecting on the insights gained from the controversy surrounding his previous homophobic jokes, which ultimately led to the loss of his hosting role at the 2019 Academy Awards.
In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal Magazine, the 44-year-old comedian expressed the importance of taking a step back and embracing the opportunity to be educated. He described the experience as a crash course that was both necessary and beneficial.
Hart characterized the backlash he faced as a "come-to-Jesus moment," acknowledging the profound impact it had on his perspective and understanding. For a concise overview of the events, continue reading to explore a brief timeline of Kevin Hart's Oscars controversy in 2019.
Dec. 4, 2018: Hart is announced as the 2019 Oscars host, sparking a backlash
In December 2018, shortly after Kevin Hart was announced as the host for the prestigious Oscars — one of the most esteemed emcee roles in Hollywood — he faced criticism for jokes he had made about the LGBTQ community almost a decade earlier.
These jokes, unearthed from Hart's old tweets, included a remark where the comedian stated that if he ever found his son playing with his sister's dollhouse, he would break the dollhouse over the boy's head.
The discovery of Hart's past tweets sparked conversations about comments he had made in his 2010 comedy special "Seriously Funny," expressing one of his "biggest fears" as a father, which involved the possibility of having a gay son.
Dec. 6, 2018: Hart addresses the controversy without apologizing
Two days after the controversy surrounding the Oscars erupted, Kevin Hart responded to the backlash without issuing an apology.
In a selfie video posted on December 6, 2018, the comedian explained that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences had requested an apology to facilitate moving forward with him as the host.
"I passed on the apology... I’ve addressed this several times. This is not the first time this has come up. I’ve addressed it. I’ve spoken on it. I’ve said where the rights and wrongs were," Hart stated in the video shared on social media.
Hart's apparent reluctance to express remorse further polarized his fan base, with many believing that he owed the LGBTQ community an apology.
Dec. 7, 2018: Hart apologizes as he steps down as the Oscars host
On December 7, 2018, Kevin Hart announced his decision to step down as the host of the Oscars, accompanied by an apology for his past homophobic jokes.
In a statement posted on what was then called Twitter, Hart expressed, "I have made the choice to step down from hosting this year’s Oscars... 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 continued, "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."
Jan. 4, 2019: Ellen DeGeneres urges Hart to reconsider the hosting job
In early January 2019, Kevin Hart made an appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," where the host, Ellen DeGeneres, a member of the LGBTQ community, encouraged him to dismiss the criticism and reconsider his decision to step down from hosting the Oscars.
DeGeneres expressed her support, saying, "You have grown, you have apologized, you’re apologizing again right now, you’ve done it. Don’t let those people win. Host the Oscars."
Jan. 8, 2019: Hart apologizes again on his radio show
One month later, Kevin Hart issued an apology on his Sirius XM radio show, "Straight to the Hart," where he conveyed an understanding of how his past jokes had impacted members of the LGBTQ community.
December 2019: Hart addresses the controversy in his Netflix docuseries
In December 2019, Kevin Hart released the six-part Netflix docuseries "Don’t F**k This Up," providing a behind-the-scenes look at the aftermath of the Oscars backlash.
The series portrayed members of Hart's inner circle, including his manager, advising him to apologize for his past jokes.
Later in the series, Hart expressed regret for not heeding the advice to apologize promptly. He admitted, "I missed an opportunity to say that I don’t condone any type of violence, in any way, shape, or form, to anyone, for being who they are," and concluded, “I f----- up.”