The Power of the Dog director Jane Campion has apologised to Venus and Serena Williams for comments she made during her acceptance speech at the Critics Choice Awards.
When accepting the award for best director, Campion acknowledged the tennis champions — who were in the audience as executive producers for King Richard, a film starring Will Smith about their father guiding them through their early days in the sport:
"It's absolutely stunning to be here tonight amongst so many incredible women.
"Halle Berry you have already done my speech and ... really killed it — I loved it, you're absolutely brilliant.
"Venus and Serena, what an honour to be in the room with you.
"I've taken up tennis, I truly have and, Will [Smith] if you wanna come over and give me lessons ... I would truly love it. I actually had to stop playing because I've got tennis elbow.
"I'd also just like to give my love out to my fellow ... the guys ... the nominees [for best director].
"And you know, Serena and Venus, you are such marvels, however, you do not play against the guys ... like I have to."
It was at about this point in the TBS broadcast when the camera cut to Venus Williams:
The New Zealand-born, Australian-trained director's remarks were quickly criticised on social media:
The following day, Campion made an apology to Venus and Serena Williams via a statement to Variety:
"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.
"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 minimise remarkable women.
"I love Serena and Venus. Their accomplishments are titanic and inspiring.
"Serena and Venus, I apologise and completely celebrate you."
Neither Venus nor Serena Williams have publicly commented on Campion's apology.
