Kevin Hart.Photo:Jon Kopaloff/Getty

Kevin Hart attends a special screening of Warner Bros. “DC League of Super Pets” at AMC The Grove 14 on July 13, 2022 in Los Angeles, California

Jon Kopaloff/Getty

Kevin Hartlearned from a past controversy.

Hart said in a statement at the time, “I sincerely apologize to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past.” He added, “I am evolving and want to continue to do so. My goal is to bring people together not tear us apart.”

In a newinterview withWSJ. Magazine’sMen’s Spring 2024 Fashion issue, Hart said the controversy was “a come-to-Jesus moment” for him.

“Sometimes it’s okay to take a step back and to be educated. I got a crash course," he added. “It was one that was necessary and needed.”

Hart hascontinued on in his standup comedycareer in the years since, and he’s racked up big movie roles inJumanji: The Next Leveland several Netflix films likeLift,Me TimeandFatherhood.

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Kevin Hart.Nina Westervelt/Variety via Getty Images

Kevin Hart at the world premiere of “Lift” held at Jazz at Lincoln Center

Nina Westervelt/Variety via Getty Images

Geof Wills, president of Live Nation Comedy, toldWSJ. Magazineof Hart’s comedy style today, “He’s not divisive. He’s not political. Everyone feels good. Everyone has a great time. Kevin’s like a great pop record.”

Back in 2020, HarttoldMen’s Healththat when it came to hisinitial response to the 2018 backlash, “I did f— up.”

“With the whole Oscars thing, there was a big gap between what I thought the problem was versus what the problem really was,” he said at the time. “I got 10 years where I made sure not to joke or play in the way that I did back then because it was a problem. I don’t care if you’re gay or not gay. I’m a people person. I’m going to love you regardless.”

He added, “It wasn’t until close friends like Wanda Sykes, Lee Daniels, and Ellen [DeGeneres] talked to me and explained what they didn’t hear me say that I understood. Then I was like, ‘Oh, s— —Ididf— up.' "

Kevin Hart at the 2016 Oscars.Kevin Winter/Getty

Actor Kevin Hart speaks onstage during the 88th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on February 28, 2016 in Hollywood, California.

Kevin Winter/Getty

In January, Hart said onWatch What Happens Live with Andy Cohenhosting the Oscars is “not going to happen” for himnow.

“Kill the idea of it, it’s not going to happen,” said Hart when Cohen said he was “still ready” for him to host the awards show. “There’s just no return of good,” Hart continued. “What is it doing for me? There’s no upside at this point. That’s the only reason why.”

The actor added, “I think at a point of time in my career, it was something that acted as a bump and want, just to get a notch in my belt of something else that I was able to obtain and view. But I’m far beyond and past that. But I don’t need that at this point.”

source: people.com