Kevin Hart revealed Sunday night that he was shocked when Academy Awards host Chris Rock introduced Stacey Dash as the new “director of our minority outreach program” for the Academy.
“I cannot wait to help my people out. Happy Black History Month!,” said the former Clueless star.
“That was awkward,” Hart told reporters at the Oscar Salute, Powered by Maserati, afterparty in Hollywood. “I’m not gonna lie and say I didn’t think that was awkward. I think everybody did. I didn’t believe she was walking out here, so when she did, I thought, ‘All right, I guess.’ That’s the only thing where I think a lot of people were positively confused.”
Dash has been one of the most outspoken critics of the #OscarsSoWhite campaign. In recent interviews the actress has suggested the abolishing of Black History Month and the BET Awards.
Despite the awkward moment, Hart praised Rock as host. “I thought he was amazing” he told People. “At the end of the day, he set the tone, he made it his own and I think that’s dope. I think that’s what it’s about. You hold something like this and you want to stand out, and that’s what he did tonight.”
Adding, “I think that’s what makes Chris Chris, you know? He’s going to say harsh things, he’s going to go right for the jugular, but what he’s saying is what other people are afraid to say.”
