Director Apologizes For Diminishing Venus & Serena Williams During Acceptance Speech
essence.com27th Annual Critic’s Choice Awards brought out stars from film and streaming in droves for a glamorous night of recognition and shoulder-rubbing in Los Angeles on Sunday night.
Tennis legends Venus Williams and Serena Williams were in the building to support Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis, Saniyya Sidney and Demi Singleton for their multiple nominations for the biopic of their father Richard Williams.
Though neither sister was not personally nominated, they ended up becoming a hot topic of conversation on Monday morning when fans caught wind of film director Jane Campion’s on-stage mention of them.While accepting the award for Best Director award for the Western psychological drama Power of the Dog, Jane Campion began a stream of consciousness expression of thanks, suddenly realizing the greatness she was in the presence of being in the same room with the Olympic gold medal-winning sisters.“Venus and Serena, what an honor to be in the room with you,” Campion said to the sisters. “I’ve taken up tennis.
I truly have, and Will Smith, if you want to come over we can do lessons. I would truly love it. I actually had to stop playing because I’ve got tennis elbow.” Campion followed the tennis tangent with a recognition of her fellow nominees, or “the guys,” as she referred to them.
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