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Julie Delpy Says It’s Easier To Be Black In Hollywood Than To Be A Woman- #OscarsSoWhite Controversy Continues

By Patricia Grannum
Published on: 23:59 PST, Jan 22, 2016

Julie Delpy, famed French actress and star of films like Avengers: Age of Ultron and 2 Days in Paris, is the latest public figure to voice their opinion on the lack of racial diversity in the 2016 Oscar nominations. And, as Us Weekly reports, her opinion is stirring up some controversy. According to Delpy, it’s harder to be a woman in Hollywood than to be black.

“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,” the Before Sunrise star explained. “It’s funny — women can’t talk. I sometimes wish I were African American because people don’t bash them afterward.”

She went on to say that feminism is not valued ideology among Hollywood studio execs.

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

Delpy’s opinion on “#OscarsSoWhite” comes as black actors like Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith have threatened to boycott The Academy Awards 2016 because there are no actors of color nominated for awards, The Root reports.

“At the Oscars… people of color are always welcomed to give out awards… even entertain, but we are rarely recognized for our artistic accomplishments. Should people of color refrain from participating all together?” Pinkett Smith said in a message posted to her Facebook page recently. “People can only treat us in the way in which we allow. With much respect in the midst of deep disappointment, J.”

The 2016 Oscar nominations were met with disappointment and even outrage in some circles when they were announced because many successful films with black leads were snubbed. Straight Outta Compton and Creed were two of the most critically acclaimed and financially successful films of the past year. Idris Elba’s role in Beasts Of No Nation is also considered to be a prominent snub.

Other actors of color, like Lupita Nyong’o, have also spoken out against the lack of diversity at the Oscars.

Though the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has acknowledged that they will be addressing racial disparities in their membership, the Smiths have faced some backlash for airing their concerns about racism in Hollywood.

Actress Charlotte Rampling has said that she thinks that the #OscarsSoWhite controversy is racist against white people.

“It is racist to whites,” Rampling said in an interview with a French radio station. “One can never really know, but perhaps the black actors did not deserve to make the final list.”

As the New York Daily News reports, Rampling went on to say that she didn’t think performances should be classified by color or ethnicity and that racism might actually be a thing of the past.

“Why classify people?” said Rampling, who became well known after starring in a film called Georgy Girl in 1966.” “These days everyone is more or less accepted…. Do we have to take from this that there should be lots of minorities everywhere?”

According to the New York Daily News article, Rampling later backtracked and sought to “clarify” her previous statement in an interview with CBS News, Sunday Morning.

“I simply meant to say that in an ideal world every performance will be given equal opportunities for consideration,” Rampling said. “I am very honored to be included in this year’s wonderful group of nominated actors and actresses.”

Charlotte Rampling received a 2016 Oscar nomination ( Lead Actress) for her role as Kate in the film, 45 Years.

Others have come out with personal attacks against Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith.

The Daily Mail reports that soon after news of their intended boycott went public, Alexis Arquette slammed the Smiths for allegedly hiding the fact that they’re both gay.

“When Jada comes out as Gay and her beard husband admits his first marriage ended when she walked in to him **** servicing his Sugar Daddy Benny Medina..then I will listen to them,” wrote Alexis.

She’s since removed the post. According to The Daily Mail, Sheree Fletcher, Will Smith’s first wife, has come out and defended Will against Alexis’ claims and states that they are categorically false.

Alexis Arquette is the sister of actress and Academy Award winner, Patricia Arquette.

[Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images]

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