Hours after actress Charlotte Rampling told an interviewer that the blowback against this year’s all-white acting nominees was itself “racist”, she is walking back her comments.
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Rampling added to the ongoing controversy over the nominations when, in an interview with France’s Europe 1 Radio, she was asked about a boycott of the Oscar ceremony because of two straight years of all-white acting nominees.
After facing criticism over her Oscars comments, Rampling apologized in a statement: “I regret that my comments could have been misinterpreted”.
Charlotte Rampling accepts the silver bear for best actress for “45 Years” on stage during the Closing Ceremony of the 65th Berlinale International Film Festival at Berlinale Palace on February 14, 2015 in Berlin, Germany.
When the interviewer tells Rampling black actors feel like they are in a minority, she replies, “No comment”.
She went on to say: “These days everyone is more or less accepted”.
The Academy said: “The Board’s goal is to commit to doubling the number of women and diverse members of the Academy by 2020”.
“You got to give a good performance, and I’m sure there were very good (performances)”.
Caine, a two-time Oscar victor and four-time nominee, also advised that black actors simply “be patient” about getting Academy Award recognition, using himself as an example.
The actress, who was nominated for her role in 45 Years, was quoted as saying “It is racist to whites” in the radio interview, according to US Weekly.
Chelsea Clinton fired back on Twitter at the actress, linking to a CNN article about Rampling’s remarks and calling them “outrageous, ignorant & offensive”.
The Academy’s president, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, has already promised to attempt to address the issue, by re-examining how it could find better diversity among its voting members.
“It runs through Hollywood and it’s a bigger problem than the Oscars themselves and a bigger issue than just the Academy’s membership”.
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While many in Hollywood were praising The Academy’s announcement, others said it is only the first step in a growing movement for equal opportunity in the industry.
