Kevin Hart steps down as Oscars host

Kevin Hart said Thursday night that he’s stepping down from hosting the 2019 Oscars — just two days after getting the gig — in the wake of criticism over a series of homophobic tweets he posted years ago.

“I have made the choice to step down from hosting this year’s Oscar’s….this is because I do not want to be a distraction on a night that should be celebrated by so many amazing talented artists,” Hart wrote in a statement on Twitter.

The announcement he would be quitting the show came just minutes after he posted a message on Instagram saying Motion Picture Academy officials had asked him to apologize or they would find another host — and he refused to apologize.

Despite that statement, Hart did offer an apology in his later resignation tweet, saying: “I sincerely apologize to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past.”

A number of homophobic tweets that Hart had sent years ago drew criticism after he was tapped as the ceremony’s host on Tuesday.

One from 2011 said: “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.”