Director Jane Campion has apologized to tennis greats Venus and Serena Williams for a “thoughtless” remark at an awards ceremony in Hollywood.
At Sunday’s Critics Choice Awards, Campion said she was “honoured” to be in the same room as the sisters.
But she added that the pair are “not playing against the boys like I have to”.
She later said it was “a thoughtless comment that equates what I do in the film world with everything that Serena Williams and Venus Williams have achieved”.
Campion won Best Director and Best Picture at the Los Angeles awards ceremony for her western The Power of the Dog.
The New Zealand filmmaker also won directorship awards at the Baftas and Directors Guild Awards this weekend.
- Director Campion on her exciting Hollywood comeback
- The Power of Dogs leads Oscar nominations
She’s the front-runner to win best director at the Oscars in two weeks, making her only the third woman in 93 years to win the award.
She faced criticism on social media after her Critics Choice acceptance speech, and clips of Venus Williams’ forced smile in response were widely shared.
“I had no intention of belittling these two legendary black women and world-class athletes,” Campion said in her apology to Venus and Serena Williams, who have won 30 Grand Slam singles titles combined.
“The fact is, the Williams sisters have actually stood up to men on (and off) the court, and they’ve both raised the bar and opened doors to what’s possible for women in this world.
“The last thing I ever want to do is minimize remarkable women. I love Serena and Venus. Her achievements are titanic and inspiring. Serena and Venus, I apologize and celebrate you fully.”
The sisters were at the Critics Choice ceremony in support of the film King Richard, which won Will Smith Best Actor for the portrayal of their father.
Add Comment