Scroll to bottom for an audio recording of our short Q&A with Kevin Hart.
Saturday was a day of madness in Eugene. Hundreds of people staked their spot in a line that trailed all the way outside into the harsh winter cold.
Kevin Hart would be making an appearance that morning at Valley River Center for an early showing of his new movie The Wedding Ringer, a privilege for an elite bunch.
Just hours later, he would stand in front of a nearly sold out arena for his comedy show, What Now – part of his college tour.
Operation destroy the university of Oregon is about to be in session people….IM ON MY MOTHAFUCKIN WAAAAAAYYYY…. #WhatNow #WeddingRinger — Kevin Hart (@KevinHart4real) November 15, 2014
University of Oregon athletes filled a majority of the seats in the theater. Many of the seats were reserved by name for football players and cheerleaders, while other athletes were emailed a link to sign up for front-line passes.
Following the athletic department affiliates, access was granted to VIP contest winners and then on a first come, first serve basis. After every seat was occupied and the chaos from outside the theater was left behind, Hart stood in front of the big screen and spoke to the audience.
“There’s a reason I came to your school. It’s not something of the norm. The reason I did it is because this is a school that has a multicultural feel. White, black, other stuff,” Hart said. “The point is, there’s some of everything in here and that’s what I represent – I’m funny for everybody.”
There’s some brilliance in Hart’s decision to begin his tour through college campuses and show the film exclusively to college students before its release in January.
“Who goes on social media and talks the most? Younger people. After you see it, talk to me and let me know what you think. Hashtag ‘Wedding Ringer’. I’m gonna go back and forth with you,” Hart said. “This is why I’m a fucking big deal, people. I do things out of the norm. This movie is gonna be big, but you guys are getting it first.”
Hart is a fan of anything Philadelphia because it’s where he grew up. As for college football, his heart will always be with Temple University. “I’m not gonna lie to you and say I’m a college football fan, girl, but I am a fan of your uniforms. I love the fact that they get better and better,” Hart told the Emerald before the show.
It’s a fitting statement to make before being gifted personalized Oregon gear by members of the football team. Hart jokes after he’s handed a pair of Oregon Air Jordans, “They look like baby shoes, don’t they? Don’t tell nobody my shoe size.”
Hart offers a new perspective through his college tour. He never went to college, but he followed his dream anyway. He put his best effort into making it come true. It’s all about making the attempt, he said.
“If I were to give college students advice on being successful I would tell them to take advantage of the opportunity they have. Right now you literally have the world in the palm of your hands,” Hart said. “When you get out of it, you’re able to say you had that experience. Unfortunately I didn’t. Granted I am successful and where I wanted to be in life, but college is definitely something I missed out on.”
Hart is moving on to promote his new film and continue his ‘What Now’ tour at Florida State University.
However, he told us on Saturday that Oregon is his new favorite state. (Shhh!)
The Wedding Ringer will be released to theaters Jan. 16, 2015.
