Why the Oscars might go on without a host
Alyssa Bunde
Staff Writer
How does an award show carry on without a host? This is the question many are asking after Kevin Hart stepped down from his host position for this year’s Oscars. With no clear answer to who will take over the position many are curious to see how the Academy will combat this issue.
Hart chose to step down after homophobic tweets from 2011 resurfaced. BuzzFeed News showcased the offensive tweets in an online article. One of them read, “why does [Damien Dante Wayans’s] profile pic look like a gay bill board for AIDS.” He continued, “boom, I’m on fire tonight.”
Another tweet form Hart provided by BuzzFeed News said, “Lmao @ all of the woman asking me where the pic is, I’m not passing along a pic of a naked man!!! That would make me gay by association.”
Hart has since taken to social media to apologize. He stated, “I sincerely apologize to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past. I’m sorry that I hurt people.” The comedian continued, “I am evolving and want to continue to do so. My goal is to bring people together not tear us apart. Much love & appreciate to the Academy. I hope we can meet again.”
Talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres, also hopes they can meet again, according to People magazine. She displayed her support for Hart during an interview on her talk show. She stated, “I really want you to host the Oscars.”
DeGeneres also claimed she personally called the Academy to express her belief in Hart as the host.
Despite DeGeneres’ support, Hart is still receiving negative backlash in regard to him having any part in the Oscars. While he has not stated he wants to return, he has put out statements regarding the negativity. One response read, “When did we get to the point where we forgot that we all learn, then we all have the ability to grow and with that growth comes a wealth of knowledge. You can’t change without an understanding of what GROWTH means.”
With no clear host in sight, a source spoke to People magazine and stated, “All options are open, including going without a host or some variation of multiple hosts.”
The Oscars will air at 7 p.m. Central Standard Time Sunday, Feb. 24.
Feature photo courtesy of the Associated Press.