Kevin Hart responds to Sony hack emails in Instagram post

Kevin Hart said he is “able to brush ignorance off” his shoulder and “move forward” in the wake of leaked Sony emails that called him a “whore.”

During the last several days, hackers have unleashed a slew of messages between Sony Pictures executives and Hollywood figures including Scott Rudin, Seth Rogen and Aaron Sorkin.

The trove of messages contains racially charged comments about President Obama, fiery remarks about Angelina Jolie, the drama over the Aaron Sorkin-penned biopic about Steve Jobs and other confidential exchanges.

In a March 7 email, Screen Gems Inc. President Clint Culpepper told Sony Pictures Entertainment co-Chairman Amy Pascal that Hart wanted more money for promoting an upcoming film on social media.

“If his film does NOT perform it hurts his brand and we have his next 3 films,” Culpepper wrote. “I’m not saying he’s a whore, but he’s a whore.”

Hart was mentioned again in a November 2013 email exchange between Pascal and Rudin. The Sony co-chair asked the producer what she should ask the president at a breakfast hosted by DreamWorks Animation.

After Pascal asked whether the president would like the Kevin Hart movie “Think Like a Man,” Rudin said: “Ride-along. I bet he likes Kevin Hart.”

Hart took to Instagram to express his thoughts on the leaked email.
“Knowing your self worth is extremely important people…I worked very hard to get to where I am today,” the actor and stand-up comedian wrote. “I look at myself as a brand and because of that I will never allow myself to be taking advantage of. I OWN MY BRAND…I MAKE SMART DECISIONS FOR MY BRAND…I PROTECT MY BRAND…which is why I’m able to brush ignorance off of my shoulder and continue to move forward. I refuse to be broken people…with that being said its now time for me to get back to building this empire that I’ve always dreamed of!!!!”

Pascal and Rudin apologized in statements issued on Thursday.

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