'It was never meant to diminish the injustice done to African American artists or to any other people that struggle for equal opportunities,' Julie says of her controversial comment.
- Jan 25, 2016
AceShowbiz - Julie Delpy sparked controversy after saying that she's better born African-American than being a woman in Hollywood as "[there's] nothing worse than being a woman in this business." Some people thought that her statement was intended to undermine the snubs done to African-Americans in the 88th annual Academy Awards' nomination list.
"Two years ago, I said something about the Academy being very white male, which is the reality, and I was slashed to pieces by the media," she said at the Sundance Film Festival on Friday, January 22. "It's funny - women can't talk. I sometimes wish I were African-American, because people don't bash them afterward."
Later on, Julie implied that what's experienced by African-Americans in this year's Oscars was nothing compared to what's experienced by women in the film industry. "It's the hardest to be a woman. Feminists is something people hate above all. Nothing worse than being a woman in this business. I really believe that," she continued.
Aware that her statement was misunderstood by many people, Julie clarified it on the following day. She issued a statement to Entertainment Weekly to apologize for her ambiguous statement and explain what she really wanted to say in her previous statement.
"I'm very sorry for how I expressed myself," said the 46-year-old actress. "It was never meant to diminish the injustice done to African American artists or to any other people that struggle for equal opportunities and rights, on the contrary. All I was trying to do is to address the issues of inequality of opportunity in the industry for women as well (as I am a woman)."
"I never intended to underestimate anyone else's struggle! We should stay alert and united and support each other to change this unfair reality and don't let anyone sabotage our common efforts by distorting the truth," she continued, adding, "Again I'm so sorry for this unfortunate misunderstanding, people who know me, know very well that I can't stand inequality and injustice of any kind."
