Jussie Smollett: Kevin Hart defends support for Actor

Kevin Hart has defended his message of support to Jussie Smollett after he was criticized on Twitter for showing support to the actor.

Kevin Hart ran afoul of the LGBTQ community last year and stepped down from his gig to host the upcoming Oscars ceremony after homophobic tweets he sent years ago resurfaced.

The comedian expressed remorse and told Michael Strahan on “Good Morning America” at the time that he was done apologizing and had “nothing else to prove.”

Though it seems the conflict is yet to be put to bed.

Joining many celebrities in Sending a get well message to the Empire actor, Kevin Hart wrote:

“Sending prayers your way @jussiesmollett ….This is unbelievably sad,” he wrote on Instagram and Twitter on Tuesday. “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.”

However, his message didn’t sit well with some people on social media who remember his anti-gay comments, with many calling is recent support for Jussie Smollett, a joke.

Responding to their criticism, Kevin Hart shared:

“I stand with a man in his time of hurt and need by giving him heart felt support and u take the time to harp on my 10yr past that I have apologized about and moved on from by being a better person,”

The 39-year-old comedian tweeted in response to TV writer Ira Madison III’s criticism on Wednesday, January 30. “Do you want change? If so I am an example of what u want people to do…CHANGE!”