Arts & Entertainment
Kevin Hart says he’s ‘over it’ and will definitely not host Oscars
The comedian is done apologizing for past homophobic jokes

Kevin Hart is “over it.”
The comedian sat down with “Good Morning America” anchor Michael Strahan to promote his upcoming movie “The Upside” on Wednesday. Before discussing the movie, Strahan brought up the Oscars controversy which resulted in Hart stepping down as host after old homophobic jokes and tweets resurfaced.
Hart said he is “over it,” a phrase he repeated 14 times throughout the
“I have explained how I evolved, which makes me say, I’m over it,” Hart told Strahan. “I’m not saying how I changed anymore, I’m not saying what I’ve done and what the ‘new me’ is.
The most controversial joke Hart has been criticized for involved Hart saying he would break a dollhouse over his son’s head if he caught him playing with it. Strahan asks Hart what he would say to a father who might have a gay son.
“Are you a monster, Mike?” Hart retorts. “It’s safe to say that you’ve got good energy. It’s safe to say that you’re a loving person. Why would I assume anything different? Why would I ever assume anything different? Why do you have to prove that you are a loving individual? You know who you are, and people close to you know who you are. That’s the position I’m in. I shouldn’t have to prove who I am, I shouldn’t have prove the love of the love that I am capable of giving. If anyone out there wants to believe that Kevin Hart is that much of a monster, that he wouldn’t love somebody because of their choice in life, then all power to them.”
Strahan also asks Hart how he felt about the controversy surrounding Ellen DeGeneres supporting him.
“It shows me that there is no ending to it,” Hart replies. “If you keep feeding this energy, then it’s going to grow. I’m not giving no
Watch below.
Celebrity News
Madonna announces release date for new album
‘Confessions II’ marks return to the dance floor
Pop icon Madonna on Wednesday announced that her 15th studio album will be released on July 3.
Titled “Confessions II,” the new album is a sequel to 2005’s “Confessions on a Dance Floor,” an Abba and disco-infused hit.
The new album reunites Madonna with producer Stuart Price, who also helmed the original “Confessions” album. It’s her first album of new material since 2019’s “Madame X.”
“We must dance, celebrate, and pray with our bodies,” Madonna said in a press release. “These are things that we’ve been doing for thousands of years — they really are spiritual practices. After all, the dance floor is a ritualistic space. It’s a place where you connect — with your wounds, with your fragility. To rave is an art. It’s about pushing your limits and connecting to a community of like-minded people,” continued the statement. “Sound, light, and vibration reshape our perceptions. Pulling us into a trance-like state. The repetition of the bass, we don’t just hear it but we feel it. Altering our consciousness and dissolving ego and time.”
Denali (@denalifoxx) of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” performed at Pitchers DC on April 9 for the Thirst Trap Thursday drag show. Other performers included Cake Pop!, Brooke N Hymen, Stacy Monique-Max and Silver Ware Sidora.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)














Arts & Entertainment
In an act of artistic defiance, Baltimore Center Stage stays focused on DEI
‘Maybe it’s a triple-down’
By LESLIE GRAY STREETER | I’m always tickled when people complain about artists “going political.” The inherent nature of art, of creation and free expression, is political. This becomes obvious when entire governments try to threaten it out of existence, like in 2025, when the brand-new presidential administration demanded organizations halt so-called diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programming or risk federal funding.
Baltimore Center Stage’s response? A resounding and hearty “Nah.” A year later, they’re still doubling down on diversity.
“Maybe it’s a triple-down,” said Ken-Matt Martin, the theater’s producing director, chuckling.
The rest of this article can be found on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
