Kevin Hart praises Jo Koy amid backlash at the Golden Globes, calls him a 'phenomenal comedian'

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA: In the aftermath of Jo Koy's hosting stint at the 81st Golden Globes Awards, Kevin Hart has come forward to defend him amid the backlash.

Praising Koy for his comedic talent and resilience, the 44-year-old comedian reacted to the host's roast-filled opening monologue.

Kevin Hart says Jo Koy has a 'fan base' as he 'sells out arenas everywhere'

During his appearance on Thursday's episode of 'Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen', 'The Lift' star said, "Jo Koy is a phenomenal comedian; he sells out arenas everywhere, and that's for a reason."

"He has a following, he has a fan base. That's a tough room, you know, it's not like it's an easy room. It's an industry room, a jaded [room]," Hart added 

"It's an industry room where the expectation is one of like consequence, so everybody's on edge about what are you going to say about me. It's not one that's attached to immediate laughter," he continued.

Kevin Hart says 'there's a lot of trickery that goes into' hosting styles

'The Upside' actor further noted that there are several comedians who have similar styles of hosting as they have received praise even when they have roasted star-studded audiences.

"I think the comics that have partaken and have had success, it's because they have a nice understanding of the industry and the personnel. [They] have relationships like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Ricky Gervais," said Hart.

"You can go down a list of the comics that have hosted and had success, they have relationships, they've been embedded in that environment for quite some time," he noted.

"So there's a lot of trickery that goes into playing it, and I think the audience plays a big part in success, but Jo's fine. If I'm Jo, I don't let it get to me, let it slide off of your back. You're fine, you'll be fine, you're a talented successful comic. By the way everyone's talking about him, so there's that. Yes, it's a good thing you know who Jo Koy is now," he added.

Jo Koy reacted to backlash over his viral Taylor Swift joke at the Golden Globes

Koy, who faced particular scrutiny for his jokes about Taylor Swift's airtime during NFL games, has addressed the reception to his jokes.

Speaking to ET on the red carpet at Billboard's Golden Globes after-party, Koy reacted to the viral moment as he said, "Aww, man, it was cute. I was just saying it was cute."

"I was just saying it's less cutaways, that's all," he said of his jokes.