Kevin Hart, one of the best-known comedians in the world, was set to host the 91^st edition of the Academy Awards on February 24, but dropped out after a controversy surrounding homophobic tweets he wrote eight years ago.

Being nominated to host the Oscars is a great honor and privilege for anyone. In an Instagram video, Kevin Hart stated that hosting the awards would be an honor. Yet, in early December it came to light that Hart had written homophobic tweets back in 2009 and 2010.

One Tweet, on August 14, 2009, read: ‘’LMAO @ all of the woman asking me where the pic is, I’m not passing along a pic of a naked man!!! That would make me gay by association.”

Tweets from Hart got the attention of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), and Hart was given a choice between apologizing  or losing the opportunity to host.

On Thursday (Dec. 6), Hart posted a video on his Instagram discussing the situation. ‘’I chose to pass. I passed on the apology,” he said. Then he added how he has addressed this to the media multiple times.

He explained how he has moved on from the situation as he chooses not to dwell on the past.

“If you don’t believe that people change, grow, evolve as they get older, I don’t know what to tell you,” he stated. “If you want to hold people in a position where they always have to justify or explain their past, then do you. I’m the wrong guy, man.”

Senior Joey Robbins thinks it would have been appropriate for Hart to apologize, based on the high-profile position he’s in. ”In this political climate we are in today, if he wants to be accepted he needs to apologize for what he has done, especially for pop culture and America, to set a good example for others when they make a mistake,” Joey said. “But in [Hart’s] personal view, him apologizing and bringing it up to the community was enough.’’

Williston’s Head Athletic Trainer, Rob Kearney, spoke to The Willistonian this topic. He believed that Kevin Hart was not passionate about hosting the Oscars.

‘’I understand that he [Kevin] had apologized to the media before, but honestly, I don’t think this was something that Kevin wanted to do. It would have only taken him 15 seconds to go out and apologize.’’

About why Hart’s old Tweets resurfaced, Kearney said “there are groups of people in this world that look to tear others down, especially someone in Kevin’s position, having power.’’

Kearney went on to say that he thought that apologizing would have been the correct thing to do, especially in the world we live in today.

The Oscars is set to air on February 24, 2019 on ABC. As of now, a new host has not been named.