The “will he/won’t he” debate surrounding Kevin Hart‘s Oscars hosting gig can finally be put to rest.
During a visit to Good Morning America moments ago, the comedian/actor confirmed that he will not be hosting the 2019 edition of Hollywood’s biggest night.
Details below…
Speaking with GMA host Michael Strahan while promoting new movie ‘The Upside,’ the star offered an emphatic “no” when asked whether he’d host this year’s spectacle.
Looking to do-away with the drama surrounding his recruitment, he adamantly stressed that he didn’t want to speak on the matter again nor fuel what he’s been consistently branding as haters trying to tear him down.
As reported, Hart had been officially unveiled as emcee for evening – a gig he billed as a “dream come true.” Yet, elation quickly turned to furore when old tweets – undeniably homophobic in their rooting – surfaced and angered many in the LGBTQ community and beyond.
Caught between a rock and a hard place, the Academy demanded that the funnyman apologize to retain the spot, stressing that they’d have to move in a different direction if he didn’t.
Adamant that he’d already addressed the matter on several occasions, he opted not to do so again and that brought with it the end of his Oscars engagement.
Or so folk thought.
Last week, Ellen DeGegeneres went to bat for Hart – offering up a platform on her widely watched show to assert that he wasn’t homophobic and should host the Oscars.
That ignited anger in many corners and the entire attempt seemed to have backfired.
Still, with the show still without a host, many wondered if Hart was back in the mix. Something he himself didn’t shoot down.
Now, however, it seems that the curtain has fallen. For this year at least.
Per the video, it doesn’t seem a return next year is out of the question. Which begs the question: would you be open to Hart hosting in the future?