Kevin Hart Is a Loyal Friend – He’s Still Wrong About Ellen DeGeneres

Neither "cancel culture" nor "political takedowns" can be blamed for what went on behind the scenes at Ellen's talk show. | Source: Kathy Hutchins (i)/Michele Eve Sandberg (ii) via Shutterstock.com. Image edited by CCN.com.

• Kevin Hart defended Ellen DeGeneres – again – against the onslaught of criticism lobbed against her.
• He blamed “cancel culture” for her woes.
• While Hart is clearly a loyal friend, he’s misguided about Ellen.

Kevin Hart put on a cape for Ellen DeGeneres. The comedian rushed to the defense of the embattled talk show host this week, blaming “cancel culture” for her current woes.

Given their history, it’s not all that surprising he is taking this hardline stance.

Kevin Hart Seems to Be Returning a Favor

Back in December 2018, Kevin Hart was set to host the Oscars. Then a series of past homophobic tweets surfaced, causing nothing short of an uproar. Ultimately, Hart stepped away from his hosting duties.

Amid the fracas, a powerful voice emerged to lead the defense of Hart: Ellen DeGeneres. Watch the video below, in which DeGeneres reveals she personally called the Academy to plead his case.

While her backing wasn’t enough to call off the proverbial dogs, he never forgot her loyalty.

Nearly two years later, it looks like he’s returning the favor.

Here’s what Hart told Deadline this week:

I know how lonely it gets, because I know that these are times when people just turn their back on you. So for the ones that you love, that are close to your heart, you just want them to have some support, when it seems that there is none out there, and that’s just who I am as a person. When it comes to Nick [Cannon], and it comes to Ellen [DeGeneres], I know who they are, and I know who they’ve been for the years that I’ve been around them, and I can only speak to that. Those are two of the most amazing people that I know.

Business and Friendship Are Not the Same Things

To be clear, it’s wonderful that Kevin Hart is such a loyal friend. Loyalty is a rare trait in general – and virtually non-existent in the cutthroat entertainment industry.

What he fails to realize is business and friendship are not the same things.

Of course Ellen DeGeneres is going to be nice to Kevin Hart. He’s her friend. And he’s a celebrity.

Whether DeGeneres kisses up to celebrities was never the question. Neither was her loyalty to her friends. What’s controversial is how she allegedly treats her employees.

I’m genuinely confused as to how this is still something that needs to be explained, but let’s do it one last time. What Kevin Hart, and every other celebrity, must understand is that DeGeneres is facing severe repercussions because she’s allegedly awful to her employees.

Neither “cancel culture” nor “political takedowns” can be blamed for what went on behind the scenes at her talk show. Ellen DeGeneres – and only Ellen DeGeneres – is responsible.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of CCN.com.