Julie Delpy Apologizes For Implying Women Have It Harder Than African Americans In Hollywood

Julie Delpy has walked back comments she made in response to a question about the Oscars and the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Science’s diversity problem.

Julie Delpy Apology

“I’m very sorry for how I expressed myself,” Delpy said in a statement released to Entertainment Weekly. “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.”

Delpy added, “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.”

While at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, Delpy recalled facing backlash in 2014 when she spoke out about the lack of female members in the Academy. She went on to pontificate that women have it harder in addressing inequality than African-Americans.

“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,” Delpy told The Wrap. “It’s funny — women can’t talk. I sometimes wish I were African-American, because people don’t bash them afterward.”

“It’s the hardest to be a woman,” Delpy went on. “Feminists is something people hate above all. Nothing worse than being a woman in this business. I really believe that.”

Incidentally, Delpy starred opposite Oscars host Chris Rock in 2012 film Two Days in New York, which she wrote and directed.