If you watch the Oscars, you know that one of things that makes it great is a great host. The monologue, the jokes, the host really sets the tone.
One of the most memorable moments in Oscar history that had nothing to do with the actual awards was in 2014 when Ellen DeGeneres, who was hosting the awards show that year, took a selfie with celebrities in the audience including Brad Pitt, Meryl Streep and Jennifer Lawrence. She posted the selfie on Twitter, and it has now been retweeted well over 3 million times.
If only Bradley’s arm was longer. Best photo ever. #oscars pic.twitter.com/C9U5NOtGap
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) March 3, 2014
Ellen is in the spotlight again, but not as an Oscar host. This time she is defending would-be Oscar host Kevin Hart.
In case you missed it, back in December, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that they had chosen Kevin Hart to host the Academy Awards (aka the Oscars) in 2019. When Hart announced the news on Twitter, he wrote, “For years I have been asked if I would ever Host the Oscars and my answer was always the same…I said that it would be the opportunity of a lifetime for me as a comedian and that it will happen when it’s suppose to. I am so happy to say that the day has finally come for me to host the Oscars. I am blown away simply because this has been a goal on my list for a long time….To be able to join the legendary list of host that have graced that stage is unbelievable.”
Then, homophobic tweets Hart posted years ago, like between 2009-2011, suddenly resurfaced. The Academy asked Hart to apologize for his words, but instead of apologizing, he decided to step down as host. In another tweet, he explained, “the reason why I passed is I’ve addressed this several times.” Basically, he said he’s already apologized and doesn’t feel that he needs to apologize again and again. “I’ve moved on, and I’m in a completely different space in my life.”
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I know who I am & so do the people closest to me. #LiveLoveLaugh
A post shared by Kevin Hart (@kevinhart4real) on
The Academy has yet to announce a replacement host, and Ellen thinks that’s because they secretly hope Hart will change his mind. Ellen revealed in a clip from her show that she personally called the Academy, told them that Hart was going to be on her show, and said that she still thinks he should host the annual awards show.
In a clip from Ellen’s show that she posted on Twitter, Hart tells Ellen that he feels dredging up the old tweets wasn’t a coincidence but an attack on him personally, trying to end his career. Ellen encouraged Hart to ignore the internet trolls, and said that they win if he doesn’t host the Oscars. She told him that when she spoke to the Academy, they said, “Oh my God, we want him to host. We feel like that maybe he misunderstood or it was handled wrong or maybe we said the wrong thing but we want him to host.” You can watch the entire clip here.
I believe in forgiveness. I believe in second chances. And I believe in @KevinHart4real. pic.twitter.com/oJxfGXhU4P
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) January 4, 2019
Many people who have commented on Ellen’s tweet very strongly disagree with her. People are writing things like, “Your heart is in the right place, but you’re screwing up big-time on this. He is not apologetic. He does not get it. If he were, if he did, yes. But he’s not. He’s defensive and feels he was taken down unfairly. He was not.” Another commenter writes, “I’m disgusted you would allow Hart a platform to come off as some sort of victim. He said vile things with no heartfelt apology and you allow him to say he was attacked. Very disappointed in you.”
For more on this controversy and Ellen’s plea to get Hart to host the Oscars after all, watch the video below:
Do you think Kevin Hart should host the Oscars?