Director Jane Campion Faces Backlash For Calling Out Venus Serena Williams In Critics’ Choice Speech
hollywoodlife.comJane Campion, 67, caused quite a stir when she brought up Serena, 40, and Venus Williams, 41, in her acceptance speech at the 2022 Critics Choice Awards.
After the Power of the Dog filmmaker won ‘Best Director’ for her Netflix movie on March 13, Jane gave a lengthy speech during which she initially praised the Williams sisters. “What an honor to be in the room with you,” Jane said about the tennis superstars, before joking that she’s taken up the sport but stopped due to “tennis elbow.” Then, things got awkward.
Jane referred to the other all-male ‘Best Director’ nominees as “the guys” and brought the Williams sisters into her speech once again. “Venus and Serena, you’re such marvels,” she said. “However, you don’t play against the guys, like I have to.” Although Jane’s comment received applause from the audience, it didn’t land as well on the internet.
Fans accused Jane of insulting Serena and Venus and minimizing their incredible tennis careers. One Twitter user wrote, “Jane Campion, how exactly does diminishing and stomping all over the constant misogynoir Venus and Serena face help you, a white woman, climb the ladder…how ugly and privileged of you.” Another person called out Jane for “taking a jab” at the Williams sisters, who also executive produced King Richard starring Will Smith as their father.
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