Kevin Hart slammed for supporting gay star who was attacked

By Alexandra Heilbron on January 31, 2019 | 19 Comments


Kevin Hart Instagram Jussie Smollett photoKevin Hart, who quit as this year’s Oscars host after a number of anti-gay tweets he made 10 years ago were made public, has spoken out in support of Jussie Smollett, the Empire star who was the victim of a possible hate crime earlier this week in Chicago.

Smollett was allegedly hit in the face and body by two white men who were yelling “racial and homophobic slurs.” They put a rope around his neck and poured bleach on him. They also yelled “This is MAGA (Make America Great Again) country,” Donald Trump’s catchphrase.

California Sen. Kamala Harris tweeted: “.@JussieSmollett is one of the kindest, most gentle human beings I know. I’m praying for his quick recovery. This was an attempted modern day lynching. No one should have to fear for their life because of their sexuality or color of their skin. We must confront this hate.”

Smollett, who plays Jamal, a successful gay singer on Fox’s hit series Empire, like his character, identifies as gay. He checked himself into Northwestern Hospital and “is in good condition,” according to authorities.

Chicago police are calling it a possible hate crime and plenty of celebrities have tweeted about it, expressing their outrage at the crime, including Kevin Hart.

Hart wrote on Instagram, “Sending prayers your way @jussiesmollett ….This is unbelievably sad. Why are we going backwards….this is disgusting. We as people have to do better.”

However, Hart has faced criticism due to his post because of his earlier tweets.

The investigation is still ongoing, but according to the Chicago Police Department, a lack of video security footage is making it difficult to identify the perpetrators. ~Alexandra Heilbron

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Sending prayers your way @jussiesmollett ….This is unbelievably sad. Why are we going backwards….this is disgusting. We as people have to do better. WTF is going on the world???? Why are we falling in love with hate???? God damn it people….Choose love…I repeat…Choose love. I will forever choose love and I will continue to teach my kids how to do the same. Stand strong brother

A post shared by Kevin Hart (@kevinhart4real) on



Comments & Discussion

  1. lorena • January 31, 2019 @ 10:36 AM

    Firstly, best wishes for Jussie….it’s a terrible thing that happened. Stay strong and know that “those” people are mentally unstable. The hate inside them has turned them crazy. Secondly – LEAVE KEVIN HART ALONE. He’s damned if he does and he’s damned if he doesn’t.

  2. Pam Grace • January 31, 2019 @ 10:48 AM

    It is really sad that we still have to witness these types of acts. People want the privilege of having free speech and the platform for it. Unfortunately some will use it wisely and some will just carry their uneducated backwards racist comments forward. No one believes in second chances? He’s a comedian. Comedians make fun of stuff to make us laugh. If we didn’t like it, he wouldn’t be as popular he is today. He gave up his dream of hosting the Oscars. Grow up people. Hope for a speedy recovery to Jussie! #kevinhart keep your head up. You know who and what you are. That’s all that matters.

  3. TheSlapr • January 31, 2019 @ 10:48 AM

    Kevin Hart doesn’t like faggatron’s.

  4. Redrover08 • January 31, 2019 @ 10:52 AM

    I agree it’s absolutely horrible what happened to Jesse Smollett – it shouldn’t have happened to anyone – but as to Kevin Hart? if we are to be defined by things we did 10 – 15 – 20 years ago and the trolls can’t find anything more recent? as human beings do we not have the right to grow? You tell me Kevin Hart did that six months ago yeah I would be upset but 10 years? Stop the witchhunt and save your energy to say your prayers for Jesse Smollett’s recovery

  5. #### • January 31, 2019 @ 10:56 AM

    This isn’t even a story. What is the point of the angle of this article.

  6. Alan • January 31, 2019 @ 11:28 AM

    This story sounds fake, especially the part about the bad MAGA folks. If Mr. Smollett has been assaulted, then I am truly sorry. But embellishing it with the MAGA screaming folks, well it doesn’t pass the smell test in my opinion.

  7. Chad • January 31, 2019 @ 12:38 PM

    Hope that they get the individuals for what they have done. No one deserves any type of abuse for what they are.
    As for Kevin Hart, if we’re judging people based on things said/done that long ago and believe they can never change, I guess we should just keep all prisoners in jail. I mean they broke the law once, obviously there is no way to turn their lives around right?

  8. JD • January 31, 2019 @ 12:42 PM

    this is a seriously irresponsible article and the reason why people scream fake news everyday.. this is an alleged incident with so many holes in the story that it remains questionable. Do ‘journalists’ even care about facts coming out before they start pushing narratives?

  9. JEB • January 31, 2019 @ 12:53 PM

    As we age, one hopes we grow wiser and realize our mistakes and biases. Kevin Hart has owned up to his homophobic tweets. Let’s be glad Kevin Hart has moved on as should we all.

  10. JD • January 31, 2019 @ 2:02 PM

    Let’s not crucify Kevin Hart based on something he did ten years ago and has repeatedly and sincerely apologized for many times over. People can become less ignorant and change beliefs in that span of time. Maybe he really has learned a lot and is disgusted by these reports.

    Hart doesn’t seem like a person who supports LGBTQ on the surface but privately is homophobic. That’s where he was then but let’s see where his heart and actions lie now and moving forward before casting permanent judgment. Believe me this has affected his life and career irreparably so he’s paying the price.

    Also with ten year old tweets it really means someone was out to ruin his career anyway. I’m pretty sure everyone here including writer Alexandra Heilbron have all said, emailed or tweeting stuff 10 or 15 years ago or longer than that which they don’t want to be judged for now even if not as vile as Hart’s.

    I do find that this writer/editor and this site as a whole tends to focus on the negative about celebrities rather than the positive. I read the site solely for the release date page. I find the Cineplex magazine that replaced Tribute in theaters is better than this web site. Tribute used to be a very good resource in the 80s and 90s with in-depth feature articles and magazines for kids and teens. I don’t know if you can get that now.

    There are tons of people who have said and done far more vile to their fellow man than Hart that aren’t often punished for their actions. He’s also an actor and quite loud so his words shouldn’t really carry the weight the press has given them. People should consider the source of the comments, his ignorance and not give them any kind of credibility.

  11. Cynthia Ray • January 31, 2019 @ 2:12 PM

    You, who is without sin, cast the first stone. and while you are looking at the speck in my eye, look at the plank in your own. (Get a new life, be born again)

  12. Jd • January 31, 2019 @ 2:14 PM

    Also comedians like Hart aren’t the most educated people in the world either. They think, say and do thinks totally without filters. They are bound to inevitably piss someone or a group of kids people off at some point with remarks.

  13. J • January 31, 2019 @ 2:14 PM

    My god kevin made the comments like 10 years ago under the context of jokes and his mind set at the time. Since then he has said no ill will against “those” people. His current comments are showing compassion and stating against hate is not acceptable and we should grow from our errors. This does not mean he hates gays and wants them to be harmed now or previously.

  14. Murr • January 31, 2019 @ 3:09 PM

    Right…so first off, this whole story has the stench of a plot to wind things up between the right and left once again. The apparent victim is in ” good condition ” after an attack by racist thugs with homophobic tendencies??? How very unlikely…unless this was a staged event for the benefit of those who profit by such media stories…
    Calmer heads must prevail in this uncertain time, and those who would, and likely will react in haste, should pause for one minute, and think rationally…Just who would profit by stirring the cauldron of unrest just now…? I am a ” Live, and Let Live ” proponent…if you can’t Love Your Neighbour, then at least, Let Him Live in Peace…
    That being said…if the victim was indeed attacked, I wish him a speedy recovery…and as to Kevin Hart…He is a Comedian, they don’t always think, they seek a reaction from the crowd…Controversy is often their most valuable tool…so cut him a break in this.
    Peace to All

  15. Hilary • January 31, 2019 @ 3:57 PM

    @JD: I disagree, Tribute was a way better magazine and this website is way more entertaining than the Cineplex site. Whenever I pick a Cineplex magazine up, I end up tossing it into the recycling after glancing through it. It’s a waste of paper. I used to read the entire Tribute magazine. I still have a selection of favourites on a shelf at home.

  16. Joyce • February 1, 2019 @ 2:25 PM

    First off, I’d like to wish Jussie a speedy recovery.
    Second, I’m gobsmacked at today’s view of the LGBTQ community. In case anyone’s forgotten, this is the 21st century. People are people regardless of our preferences, sexual or otherwise. We need to more accepting of all humankind. Love each other, no hate on each other.
    Third, Kevin Hart has apologized over & over & over. These tweets happened over 10 years ago when he was young & really didn’t know better or I’m guessing understand the LGBTQ community. He has grown & matured. Leave him alone, stop criticizing him & let him get on with his life. Look towards the future not the past.
    Fourth & final point. MAGA is bullshit. All it promotes is racism, bigotry & more. To make America great again, you need to get off your high horse & be more accepting of others that are not the same as you.

  17. Brian • February 1, 2019 @ 3:15 PM

    I’m trying to understand how people are viewing this news story as negative. What’s negative is what happened to this guy, but the story itself isn’t putting a negative spin on it, it’s just reporting on it. If anything, I read it as Kevin Hart was doing a good thing, it says he spoke out in support of Jussie and goes on to say how people are attacking Hart, and it also gave a positive tweet from another person who likes Jussie (in addition to Hart’s positive tweet). I’m seeing negativity from the people commenting here, not from the writer or this story.

  18. Kathleen • February 2, 2019 @ 3:34 PM

    Kevin’s comments prove he has grown around this issue.

  19. Dinie • February 4, 2019 @ 7:43 PM

    For those who called this fake news have you googled the actors name and what happened to him, if you did you’d see many news outlet and magasines reporting on this horrible racist homophobic crime! Get the facts before you mouth off!!!!!! Even CNN reported on it! CBC also! So search cause you’re the one who ends up looking like an uneducated idiot!

    And for heaven sake leave Kevin Heart alone, how many times does he have to apologize, instead of looking at past negative comments, look at the good he’s doing today, people grow, people change the only ones that don’t are the trolls that hang on the past and negative, shame on you!

    https://www-m.cnn.com/2019/02/01/entertainment/jussie-smollett-statement/index.html?r=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.ca%2F

    https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.cbc.ca/amp/1.4997245

    https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/amp26124383/jussie-smollett-speaks-out-assault-los-angeles-concert/


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