The organisers of the annual Oscars awards ceremony have reportedly opened the doors to Kevin Hart returning as host.
The 39-year-old previously stepped down from hosting the event after his homophobic tweets from almost a decade ago resurfaced online.
While the actor and comedian initially did not apologise for the remarks (he instead asked people to “stop searching for reasons to be angry”), he eventually said sorry to the LGBT+ community.
Variety reports that the Academy Awards organisers would now happily reinstate Hart as host following the apology, bolstered by an appearance on The Ellen Show – something that has caused controversy after the presenter, Ellen Degeneres, called on supporters to “forgive” Hart.
“I believe in forgiveness,” she wrote on Twitter. “I believe in second chances. And I believe in Kevin Hart.”
The Academy and ABC – the network who broadcast the ceremony – are reportedly open to Hart’s return and are awaiting a signal, through a spokesperson or social media, that he wants to return.
Speaking on The Ellen Show, Hart blamed Internet trolls for wanting to “destroy” his career. “This was to end all partnerships, all brand relationships, all investment opportunities, studio relationships, my production company and the people that work underneath me,” he said. ”This was to damage the lives that have been invested in me.”
After apologising again for the remarks, he added: “I don’t have a homophobic bone in my body.”
Finding a host for the Oscars has proven particularly difficult this year, with the Academy reportedly gearing up to not have a host and instead implement a Saturday Night Live-like sketch show scenario.
Spokespersons for ABC, the Academy Awards and Hart have not commented on the situation.
