Charlotte Rampling says her comments on Oscars diversity row were "misinterpreted"

Charlotte Rampling has backtracked on her controversial comments she made about the Oscars diversity row.

Speaking in French, Rampling, 69, had previously told France's Europe 1 radio Friday that while it's impossible to know for sure, "maybe the black actors didn't deserve to be in the final stretch".

Perhaps it would, but that's not a good reason for her to win, and I infer from Rampling's statement about classifying people that she agrees with awarding Oscars based on merit, not identity politics.

"I simply meant to say that in an ideal world every performance will be given equal opportunities for consideration".

Yesterday's interview came at the end of a week of controversy as, for the second consecutive year, the Academy failed to nominate a single actor from an ethnic minority in any of its four major acting categories - an omission which led to the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite trending on Twitter.

"People will always say, "Him, he's less handsome"; "Him, he's too black"; "He is too white". I am very honoured to be included in this year's wonderful group of nominated actors and actresses". She also pronounced herself "highly encouraged" by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences decision to try and aggressively diversify its membership.

At one point, Caine appeared to be unaware all 20 acting nominees this year were white, asking if British actor of African descent Idris Elba was nominated.

Even the Cloonster has got involved, admitting he feels the Academy Awards are moving in the wrong direction with its "all-white" nominations.

"Of course it will come", he said.

On Monday, actress Jada Pinkett Smith said on her Facebook page she would boycott the Oscars, and Lee announced he would not attend.

Charlotte Rampling does not understand campaigners who have lamented the lack of diversity in this year's Oscar nods.

"There is no racism except for those who create an issue", Molen, a voting member of the Academy, told The Hollywood Reporter, US Weekly reported. Chairman Kevin Tsujihara called the changes a "great step toward broadening the diversity and inclusivity of the Academy and, by extension, the industry".