Academy representatives have indicated that they are keen for Hart to host the ceremony in February.
Actor and comedian Kevin Hart says he is “evaluating” his recent decision to step down as host of the 2019 Academy Awards ceremony.
In December, Hart announced that he would be withdrawing from the Oscars only days after he was confirmed as host following a backlash over homophobic tweets posted on his Twitter account several years ago.
In an hour-long interview with Ellen DeGeneres set to air on Friday morning, however, Hart said that he was “evaluating” his decision after DeGeneres, a former Oscars host herself and personal friend of Hart’s, revealed she contacted Academy chiefs in an attempt to have Hart restored as host of the 2019 ceremony.
DeGeneres indicated that the Academy were keen for Hart to be involved, saying that she was told: “We want him to host, we feel like maybe he misunderstood or it was handled wrong, or maybe we said the wrong thing. But we want him to host. Whatever we can do, we want him to host.”
I believe in forgiveness. I believe in second chances. And I believe in @KevinHart4real. pic.twitter.com/oJxfGXhU4P
— Ellen DeGeneres (@EllenDeGeneres) January 4, 2019
In the aftermath of the conversation, in which Hart revisited tweets posted on his account in the past and stressed his repeated attempts to apologise for them, Hart said that he was “evaluating” his decision to step down as host.
“Leaving here I promise you I’m evaluating this conversation,” Hart said.
“This is a conversation I needed to have, I’m glad I had it here. I’m glad it’s as authentic and real as I could’ve hoped it would be.”
In this conversation, @KevinHart4real was authentic and real, and I’m in his corner. #OscarsNeedHart https://t.co/nhMwSefrMl
— Ellen DeGeneres (@EllenDeGeneres) January 4, 2019
In December, announcing his decision to step down as host of the Academy Awards, Hart said: “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 apologise to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past.
“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 and appreciation to the Academy. I hope we can meet again.”
At the time, Hart also uploaded a video on Instagram in which he explained that the Academy demanded a public apology for his homophobic tweets, a public apology Hart initially didn’t believe was necessary due to him addressing the controversy in the past.
During the conversation with Ellen DeGeneres, meanwhile, Hart said, “I know I don’t have a homophobic bone in my body” and described the initial resurfacing of his tweets from 2009 and 2010 as a “malicious attack on my character”.
“That’s an attack to end me,” he said.
https://twitter.com/benfraserlee/status/1070413541012893696
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