'Power Of The Dog' Director Apologizes To Serena And Venus Williams For Her "Thoughtless" Comments During Her Critics Choice Award Acceptance Speech
On Sunday night, Jane Campion received the Critics Choice Award for best director for her film "Power of the Dog."
When she took the stage to give her acceptance speech, she looked towards Serena and Venus Williams in the crowd and attempted to pay them a compliment. But it didn't quite come out that way.
"Venus and Serena, you're such marvels," she said to the legendary tennis players, whose lives the film King Richard was based on. "However, you don't play against the guys, like I have to."
Campion chuckled awkwardly as Venus even more awkwardly attempted to smile at her from afar. Naturally, the internet was enraged at Campion's comments.
Jane Campion Apologized to the Williams Sisters For Her Comment
There was much backlash online after Campion attempted to compliment the Williams sisters. People accused her of being racist and embodying "white feminism," whatever that buzzword even means.
These accusations are clearly blown out of proportion. Was it a weird joke? Maybe. Was it offensive? Of course not. But Campion has decided to apologize anyway to get ahead of herself in case Hollywood feels like blacklisting her.
"I made a thoughtless comment equating what I do in the film world with all that Serena Williams and Venus Williams have achieved. I did not intend to devalue these two legendary Black women and world class athletes," Campion said yesterday in a statement released by her representative. "The fact is the Williams sisters have, actually, squared off against men on the court (and off), and they have both raised the bar and opened doors for what is possible for women in this world. The last thing I would ever want to do is minimize remarkable women."
The mob will doubtfully accept her apology, and the Williams sisters haven't responded yet.