Charlotte Rampling Says Oscar Boycott Is “Racist To White People”

Rampling, who is revered in France and has starred in both French and English films, is nominated for best actress at this year’s Oscars for her role in 45 Years, a movie that depicts a couple whose long marriage begins to shatter after a life-changing event. She said she wished every performance were given equal opportunity for consideration.

“I regret that my comments could have been misinterpreted this week in my interview with Europe 1 Radio”, Rampling said. Placing herself in the center of the present controversy, she says this action of black artists and celebrities is “racist to white people”.

“One can never really know, but perhaps the black actors did not deserve to make the final list”, the 69-year-old, Best Actress nominee continued during her interview with station Europe 1. We live in a country now where everyone is more or less accepted.

There are no non-white acting nominees at this year’s Oscars.

“I am very honoured to be included in this year’s wonderful group of nominated actors and actresses”, she said in a statement. “Are we going to classify thousands of little minorities everywhere?”

‘Diversity in our industry is an important issue that needs to be addressed. “There are always questions about whether such-and-such a person is less handsome, such-and-such is too black, such-and-such is too blonde”.

The Academy approved a series of “substantive changes” to its rules and organizational structure in an effort to ensure the diversity of its membership amid mounting criticism on Friday.

This year’s diversity controversy is likely to only help the ratings, as viewers are certainly anticipating how Chris Rock and his acid wit approaches his hosting duties, especially as fellow African Americans showbiz luminaries such as Spike Lee, Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith plan to boycott the ceremony.

She was referring to black Oscars hopefuls including “Beasts of No Nation’s” Idris Elba, “Creed” star Michael B. Jordan and movie writer Ryan Coogler and the cast of N.W.A biopic “Straight Outta Compton” who were overlooked by academy voters.

“You can’t vote for an actor because he’s black”, Caine told BBC Radio 4. “Of course it will come”.