Kevin Hart recently spoke to The Independent, praising Jo Koy as a “phenomenal” stand-up comedian amidst criticism of Koy’s hosting of the 2024 Golden Globe Awards.

Hart, who made headlines earlier for stating he would never host the Oscars due to their unfriendliness towards comedy, reiterated this stance in relation to Koy. He argued that Koy faced challenges connecting with celebrity audiences at award shows because he doesn’t fit the mold of a traditional industry comic.

“Comedy’s role in award shows has evolved significantly,” Hart explained. “If you don’t have established relationships in those circles, those environments can feel unwelcoming. I no longer view them as favorable gigs.