Kevin Hart ditches jeans for slacks: 'I'm getting old'
Synopsis
Kevin Hart has officially sworn off jeans — and his reason is as funny as it is relatable. The comedian told The Jennifer Hudson Show that denim hurts his knees and digs into his waist, making slacks the only logical choice past 40. It is a small story with big cultural resonance: even Hollywood's hardest-working comic has hit the comfort-first inflection point.
Key Takeaways
Kevin Hart revealed on The Jennifer Hudson Show that he has stopped wearing jeans entirely.
Hart cited knee pain and waist discomfort as the primary reasons for ditching denim.
He joked that by age 50 he plans to switch exclusively to sweatpants.
Hart will return as Franklin Finbar in the upcoming Jumanji: The Open World , alongside Dwayne Johnson , Jack Black , and Karen Gillan .
His stand-up career spans five albums, beginning with I'm a Grown Little Man .
Hollywood actor-comedian Kevin Hart has announced he has given up jeans entirely, opting instead for comfortable pants and slacks — and he has a very candid explanation for the switch. Speaking on The Jennifer Hudson Show, Hart said denim simply no longer suits his lifestyle as he moves past 40.
What Kevin Hart Said
Hart was characteristically blunt about his denim divorce. 'I don't wear jeans anymore. I'm getting old. It's all pants, all slacks. I mean, I'm over 40; I feel like a good pant is necessary. Jeans are not the same,' he said on the show.
He elaborated on the physical discomfort: 'Jeans hurt and they're not comfortable. I need something that I can move in and something that's soft. I don't like how jeans feel on my knees. They hurt my waist — when you sit down, I don't like how jeans dig in my waist.'
Hart also hinted at a future wardrobe evolution, joking that by the time he hits 50, he plans to go full sweatpants.
The Bigger Picture: A Celebrity Comfort Trend
Hart's candid confession taps into a broader cultural shift that accelerated post-pandemic, as athleisure and comfort-first dressing became mainstream even among celebrities and public figures. While it may seem lighthearted, Hart's remarks reflect a growing conversation about how personal style evolves with age and physical demands — particularly for performers whose bodies are central to their work.
Kevin Hart's Upcoming Projects
On the professional front, Hart is set to return to one of his most successful franchises. He will reprise his role as Franklin Finbar in Jumanji: The Open World, the new installment of the Jumanji series. The film will also bring back Dwayne Johnson as Dr. Bravestone, Jack Black as Professor Sheldon Oberon, and Karen Gillan as Ruby Roundhouse.
The original Jumanji, released in 1995 and directed by Joe Johnston, was based on the 1981 children's picture book by Chris Van Allsburg and starred Robin Williams, among others.
Hart's Career Journey
Hart's rise in Hollywood began when filmmaker Judd Apatow cast him in a recurring role on the TV series Undeclared. His comedic profile grew further with his debut stand-up album I'm a Grown Little Man, followed by four more: Seriously Funny, Laugh at My Pain, Let Me Explain, and What Now? — building one of the most successful stand-up careers in contemporary American comedy.
With Jumanji: The Open World on the horizon, Hart's fans can expect to see him on screen soon — presumably in very comfortable trousers.
Point of View
But it lands because it is genuinely relatable — and that relatability is precisely the brand he has built over two decades. What is more noteworthy is the Jumanji franchise news buried at the end: a fourth installment signals that the studio sees sustained franchise value, even as the original reboot cast ages into the very 'comfortable pants' demographic Hart is now representing. The comedy-to-franchise pipeline Hart pioneered in the 2010s is now entering its sequel-heavy, nostalgia-driven phase — and that is a bigger story than his wardrobe.
NationPress
26 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Kevin Hart stop wearing jeans?
Kevin Hart said jeans hurt his knees and dig into his waist when he sits, making them too uncomfortable for everyday wear. Speaking on The Jennifer Hudson Show, he said he now exclusively wears pants and slacks, calling a 'good pant' a necessity past the age of 40.
What did Kevin Hart say on The Jennifer Hudson Show?
Hart joked that he no longer wears jeans because he is 'getting old,' adding that denim is painful on his knees and waist. He also hinted at switching to sweatpants full-time by age 50.
What is Jumanji: The Open World?
Jumanji: The Open World is the new installment of the Jumanji franchise, bringing back Kevin Hart as Franklin Finbar, Dwayne Johnson as Dr. Bravestone, Jack Black as Professor Sheldon Oberon, and Karen Gillan as Ruby Roundhouse.
How did Kevin Hart become famous?
Kevin Hart got his first major break when Judd Apatow cast him in a recurring role on the TV series Undeclared. He built his reputation through stand-up comedy, releasing five albums including Laugh at My Pain and What Now?
What stand-up albums has Kevin Hart released?
Kevin Hart has released five stand-up albums: I'm a Grown Little Man, Seriously Funny, Laugh at My Pain, Let Me Explain, and What Now?, establishing him as one of the most successful comedians of his generation.
