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Despite public urging from Ellen DeGeneres that has seen The Ellen Show host heavily criticized, Kevin Hart has decided not to reclaim the role of 2019 Oscars host.
Last month Hart was announced as host of the 91st Academy Awards, but a day later he stepped down from the honour following uproar over past homophobic tweets and comments.
This week, DeGeneres had Hart on her show and tried to convince him to reconsider.
However you feel about this, the only positive way through it is to talk about it. Thank you for being here, @KevinHart4real. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/FVKZ6FIQAx
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) January 4, 2019
In a tweet following intense backlash to her support of Hart, DeGeneres said:
“I believe in forgiveness. I believe in second chances. And I believe in @KevinHart4real … [in our conversation Kevin] was authentic and real, and I’m in his corner. #OscarsNeedHart.”
But her effort has been in vain. On Saturday morning AEST, hours after a preview of The Ellen Show appearance aired, Hart told Variety:
“Would I ever do it? No, it’s done. It’s done,” Hart said. “The moment came and it was a blessing and I was excited at the opportunity and I still am. In my mind I got the job, it was a dream job, and things came up that simply prohibited it from happening. But I don’t believe in going backwards.”
Now that’s settled, if we may make a suggestion, Ellen … will you get behind Hannah Gadsby for the gig?
The 2019 Oscars will be held on February 24.
