A statue depicting Kevin Hart holding a rainbow flag has been erected near the Dolby Theater, referencing the scɑndɑl that caused him to step down as host of the 2019 Oscars. The statue, resembling an Oscar statuette, bears the inscription “Hollow Apology” and was crafted by LA-based street artist Plastic Jesus.

Hart resigned as host following backlash over past homophobic tweets that resurfaced, despite initially refusing to apologize. He eventually apologized but had already faced criticism for his previous remarks about homosexuality, including in his stand-up routines.

The 91st Academy Awards will proceed without a main host, a rare occurrence since the 1989 ceremony. Instead, presenting duties will be shared among various celebrities, including Tina Fey, Whoopi Goldberg, Brie Larson, Daniel Craig, and Jennifer Lopez. To keep the show engaging, performances by Lady Gaga, Jennifer Hudson, Bette Midler, and others are planned, while segments between awards will likely be streamlined to avoid unnecessary delays.