'Power of the Dog' Director Jane Campion Apologizes to Venus & Serena Williams Over 'Thoughtless' Comments in Acceptance Speech

Jennifer Maas TV Business WriterViewership for Sunday’s Oscars on ABC grew by 511,000 viewers during the 15-minute time span that featured Will Smith slapping Chris Rock, according to Live + Same Day Nielsen data. While the Oscars’ audience dipped from there, it spiked again during Smith’s best actor win and acceptance speech shortly after 11 p.m. ET, this time by 614,000 viewers.The most-watched portion of the entire show was the 15 minutes between 9:15 p.m.

Serena Williams was left in shock after Will Smith punched Chris Rock at the Oscars, just moments before accepting the Best Actor award for his portrayal of her dad. Will played the role of Serena and Venus Williams’ father, Richard Williams, in the biopic King Richard and scooped an Oscar for the role at the ceremony on Sunday evening. However, less than an hour earlier, things took a dramatic turn when the 53 year old jumped on stage after comedian Chris made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett-Smith.

Serena Williams has broken her silence on Will Smith and Chris Rock on stage Oscars altercation.MORE: Serena and Venus Williams steal the show at the Oscars in daring gownsTaking to Instagram Stories, the tennis pro appears to have been left speechless by the shocking moment that saw the actor crash the stage on Sunday night and physically assault the comedian. In a video seemingly addressing the incident, she could be seen looking at the camera and then away again with a look of total surprise on her face. WATCH: Serena Williams reacts to Will Smith and Chris Rock on stage Oscars altercationShe then followed this up with another video.

ESSENCE 15th Anniversary Black Women In Hollywood Awards Highlighting "The Black Cinematic Universe" in Beverley Hills. She got hyped for the luncheon at home with her daughter Olympia, posing and dancing in her glamorous ensemble in a video that was shared on Instagram.This content can also be viewed on the site it from.If you're interested in Williams' dress for yourself, just know that it was created with a more budget-friendly price tag in mind. "I’m Serena Williams, and I don’t want to pay $1,000 or $3,000 for an outfit—I can, and I’m not going to," she about her fashion line and the desire to keep it at a realistic price point.

Will Smith is hitting the red carpet with the Williams sisters!

The Power of The Dog director Jane Campion has apologized to tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams, after being called out for a comment she made during her acceptance speech at the Critics Choice Awards.Campion’s speech went viral after the acclaimed director said it was an “honor to be in the room” with the Williams sisters, describing them as “such marvels,” and concluding with, “However, you do not play against the guys like I have to,” referring to the rest of the male fellow nominees.Online users were quick to point out that the speech seemed to be dismissive of the success of Venus and Serena. Now the director has decided to write an apology, explaining that she “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,” Campion continued, “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.”Campion says that “The last thing” she would ever want to do is “minimize remarkable women,” adding “Their accomplishments are titanic and inspiring.

Jane Campion has issued an apology for a remark she made toward tennis greats Venus and Serena Williams at the Critics' Choice Awards on Sunday that landed her in hot water while accepting her award for best director. "I made a thoughtless comment equating what I do in the film world with all that Serena Williams and Venus Williams have achieved.

Oscar-nominated, multi-award-winning director of The Power of the Dog, apologized on Monday for telling the tennis stars Serena and Venus Williams they “do not play against the guys like I have to”, during an acceptance speech at the Critics Choice Awards (CCA) on Sunday. Related: Jane Campion calls actor Sam Elliott ‘sexist’ for criticizing Power of the Dog In a statement, Campion said: “I made a thoughtless comment equating what I do in the film world with all that Serena Williams and Venus Williams have achieved.

A poor choice of words? Jane Campion is speaking out after her 2022 Critics’ Choice Awards comment about Serena Williams and Venus Williams drew backlash.

Critics Choice Awards, when she made a comment about Serena and Venus Williams during an acceptance speech.Campion took home the awards for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay for her work on at the ceremony. It was while accepting the former award that Campion said, «Serena and Venus, you are such marvels.

Critics Choice Awards.After winning the award for Best Director for The Power Of The Dog at the ceremony on Sunday (March 13), Campion compared her achievements to the Williams sisters during her acceptance speech. The tennis superstars were in the room to support the film King Richard, where Will Smith plays their father Richard Williams.“Venus and Serena, you’re such marvels,” said Campion during her speech. “However, you don’t play against the guys, like I have to.”The comment, while warmly received in the room, was subsequently criticised by many on social media for comparing her struggles to those of two Black women.In a statement released following the backlash (via Variety), Campion said: “I made a thoughtless comment equating what I do in the film world with all that Serena Williams and Venus Williams have achieved.

Jane Campion is walking back on her Critics’ Choice Awards speech.

criticized online for her remark about the tennis greats, saying it diminished their accomplishments as Black, female athletes. And Venus Williams herself looked visibly surprised during the Critics Choice Awards broadcast when she made the comment.

The Power of the Dog, but her latest statements have sparked a much different reaction. On Sunday, March 13, Campion won the for best director and delivered an acceptance speech that many say minimizes the experience of Black women and athletes. During her speech, the New Zealand director compared herself to tennis legends and , who were at the awards ceremony to support their film King Richard and the film's star , who was awarded best actor for his performance.“It’s absolutely stunning to be here tonight among so many incredible women.

Jane Campion has released an apology to Venus and Serena Williams after making a controversial remark during her Critics Choice Awards acceptance speech for Best Director.

It’s been a while since we witnessed someone lose all their goodwill as fast as Jane Campion.

Zack Sharf Jane Campion is apologizing for a controversial comment she made about Serena and Venus Williams while accepting the best director prize at the 2022 Critics Choice Awards. The filmmaker said in a statement, “I made a thoughtless comment equating what I do in the film world with all that Serena Williams and Venus Williams have achieved.