Kevin Hart responds to Ellen Interview backlash

Controversy surrounding Kevin Hart’s scuppered Oscar hosting job continues following an appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show and a post on his official Instagram account.

Hart stepped down as the Oscar’s 2019 host when a series of homophobic remarks and tweets resurfaced online. The American comedian said the Academy requested he apologise for the comments. But he refused, arguing he had already addressed the remarks in the past.

Last week, Hart was interviewed by Ellen DeGeneres, who told him: “You have grown. You have apologised. You're apologising again right now. You've done it. Don't let those people win. Host the Oscars.” DeGeneres also revealed she had contacted the Academy requesting they reinstate him as host.

On Saturday, Hart posted on Instagram saying: “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,” he continued: “Please grasp this and use it in 2019. Basketball players aren't great until they LEARN how to play the game correctly. Teachers are great teachers when they LEARN how to get thru to kids correctly. Architects become great at their job when they LEARN how to build correctly'.”

Hart has been long been criticised for his homophobic "jokes." Many of his comments go beyond using words such as fag, tranny or homo.

In a 2010 special, Seriously Funny, he says that while he doesn’t consider himself homophobic, he fears his son growing up to be gay. He describes seeing a boy grinding against his son at a birthday party, after which he knocks both boys to the ground.

The following year, Hart tweeted: “Yo if my son comes home & try’s 2 play with my daughters doll house I’m going 2 break it over his head & say n my voice ‘stop that’s gay.”

Hart’s comments are no laughing matter. Last year, a Californian mother was sentenced to life in prison, and her boyfriend given the death penalty after they murdered the woman’s eight year old son. Prosecutors stated he was tortured to death after the couple feared he was gay.

Brazils new far-right president, Jair Bolsonaro said he would rather have a dead son than a gay one and also recommended beating children for acting gay. His election has seen an increase in anti-lgbt+ hate crimes across the country.