Charlotte Rampling Backtracks On Comment That Diversifying Oscars Is 'Racist To Whites'

"Diversity in our industry is an important issue that needs to be addressed."
Gisela Schober/Getty Images

After claiming Friday that the current conversation around diversifying Oscar nominees is "racist to whites," actor Charlotte Rampling made a statement to CBS News' Sunday Morning attempting to backtrack on her comments.

"I regret that my comments could have been misinterpreted this week in my interview with Europe 1 Radio," said Rampling, who is nominated for a Best Acting award for the film "45 Years." "I simply meant to say that in an ideal world every performance will be given equal opportunities for consideration. I am very honored to be included in this year's wonderful group of nominated actors and actresses."

"Diversity in our industry is an important issue that needs to be addressed," she continued. "I am highly encouraged by the changes announced today by the Academy to diversify its membership."

The actress's original conversation with the French radio station came amidst high-profile stars, including Jada Pinkett Smith and Spike Lee, criticizing the award show for its severe lack of diversity -- particularly in the four best acting categories, in which only white performers have been nominated for the past two years despite a plethora of viable non-white contenders.

“One can never really know, but perhaps the black actors did not deserve to make the final list," Rampling had said Friday. “Why classify people? These days everyone is more or less accepted."

"People will always say ‘Him, he’s not as handsome’ or ‘Him, he’s too black’ or ‘He's too white,'" she said. "But does that necessarily mean there should be lots of minorities everywhere?"

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