Lil Nas X explains homophobia, importance of coming out to a confused Kevin Hart
Lil Nas X is receiving praise online for his graceful explanation of why he chose to come out when he did, while Kevin Hart is being accused of gaslighting in response.
Tuesday's episode of HBO's "The Shop: Uninterrupted" featured a star-studded conversation between Nas X, Rob Gronkowski, Kevin Love, Charlamagne tha God and more. In a now viral clip from the episode, series writer Paul Rivera asked the "Old Town Road" overnight sensation why he felt it was important to come out at the peak of his success.
Kevin Hart then interrupted Rivera's question to say, "He said he was gay, so what?"
Lil Nas X began to answer the question, saying, "It’s not like I was being forced. It’s just like knowing growing up, I’m growing up to hate this shit. I’m not supposed to ever like this --"
Hart then interjected again to ask, "Hate what? Hate what?"
"Homosexuality. Gay people," the 20-year-old responded, before Hart interrupted again, asking incredulously, "Why? Why are you growing to hate it?"
Lil Nas X then patiently challenged Hart: "Come on, now. If you really from the hood, you know. You know it's not something --" as someone echoed him in the background, "Of course. It's a stigma!"
Lil Nas X continued, "If for me, the ‘cool dude with the song on top of everything,’ to say this at any other time, I’m doing this for attention ... But if you’re doing this while you’re at the top, you know it’s for real. It’s showing it doesn’t really matter, I guess.” The exchange can be watched below:
.@lilnasx speaks the truth about his choice to come out while at the top. More of The Shop on @HBO now! pic.twitter.com/wETNaPUU5t
— UNINTERRUPTED (@uninterrupted) September 4, 2019
The young rapper is being lauded on Twitter for the poise he displayed during the encounter, and the ease with which he explained the importance of visibility in the LGBTQ+ community. Contrarily, many are criticizing Kevin Hart for gaslighting, and homophobia:
Lil Nas X is a gift. He continues to be courageous and wise. But putting him in a situation to be gaslit by known homophobes about his choice to come out is terrible. pic.twitter.com/AAsGSlzmb0
— Frederick Joseph (@FredTJoseph) September 4, 2019
Kevin Hart acting like he doesn’t know why Lil Nas X would be scared to come out is like someone who stole the thing you lost helping you look for it. https://t.co/ZmfRNMktel
— Phillip Henry (@MajorPhilebrity) September 4, 2019
The emotional and intellectual labor that lil nas x had to expend by explaining, not only the effects, but the existence of homophobia to men older than him is more than disheartening.
Remember, gaslighting is violence. pic.twitter.com/aO0jhYZ3LF— zellie (@zellieimani) September 4, 2019
Kevin Hart's rage and bitterness about anything to do with gay people is so jarring.
Lil Nas X seems so stable and healthy and Kevin seems so ... not okay. https://t.co/ag7aDo1zg0— Jenée (@jdesmondharris) September 4, 2019
lil nas x showed admirable resolve there — that he shouldn’t have had to, it should be said — but what i really liked was how he took the steam out of kevin hart with that “if you were really from the hood, you would know.”
— Joel D. Anderson (@byjoelanderson) September 4, 2019
Kevin Hart was recently involved in a car accident, and has yet to respond to any criticism.
