Kevin Hart will be stopping by “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” according to reports and it won’t be a typical visit.
Although the backlash has subsided a bit, Hart hasn’t gotten past the controversy of having some old homophobic tweets resurface. The old messages came to light once the 39-year-old was picked to host the next Oscar Awards.
“You look like a gay version of Chris Brown. Put a shirt on, f-g,” he wrote to one of his critics in 2010.
“Yo, if my son comes home and tries to play with my daughter’s doll house I’m going to break it over his head and say in my voice ‘Stop. that’s gay,’” read another tweet.
Soon after, the Academy wanted Hart to apologize or step away from the Oscars, and he chose the latter. The comedian said he wouldn’t say sorry because he already apologized for the same tweets in the past.
Ellen, for her part, is known to be a pioneer in the area of gay celebrities coming out, since she did so over 20 years ago. At the time, she was a famous stand-up comedian, and on a popular ABC sitcom.
There was also a well-known Time magazine cover that featured Ellen that read “Yep, I’m gay,” which was also a huge deal when it was released in April of 1997. Plus, President Barack Obama gave her the Presidential Medal of Freedom for what she’s accomplished for the LGBTQ community.
Because of those things, some fans believe that Ellen could help Hart with the controversy in two ways: For one, she might be giving him the platform he needs to address it, which he should be comfortable with since they’re both comedians. And two, maybe Ellen will give Hart a new way of looking at the backlash.
But there were a few people who are worried that the interview will be lighthearted and the talk show host won’t ask tough questions.”
“I have no problem with her interviewing him provided it is a real interview,” someone wrote. “I don’t think she is usually known as a tough interviewer, but maybe she will be this time.”
“She won’t grill him about it,” wrote another. “She will ask him, have him clear the air and we can all put this past us.”
After the backlash grew Hart eventually apologized for the tweets and hasn’t addressed the controversy since.
“I do not want to be a distraction on a night that should be celebrated by so many amazing talented artists,” he wrote on social media. “I sincerely apologize 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.”
Hart will appear on “Ellen” On Jan. 7. 3:00 EST.
