Charlotte Rampling says Oscar diversity comments were 'misinterpreted'

Oscar-nominated acting legend Charlotte Rampling made quite a few people angry on Friday when she declared that all of the controversy surrounding the extreme whiteness of this year's Academy Awards was "racist" towards white people.

Rampling (69) told France's Europe 1 radio yesterday that, while it's impossible to know for sure, "maybe the black actors didn't deserve to be in the final stretch". What she really meant, she said, was that "in an ideal world every performance will be given equal opportunities for consideration". "I am very honoured to be included in this year's wonderful group of nominated actors and actresses".

The Academy, who run the the Oscars, say they will double the number of female and minority members they have over the next four years.

Rampling told French radio station Europe 1 that a growing boycott the 88th Academy Awards is actually "racist to whites".

When the Oscar nominations were announced January 14, the lack of minorities on the list sparked a social media campaign with the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite and has provoked high-profile people in the business, including Jada Pinkett-Smith, her husband Will Smith and filmmaker Spike Lee to say they won't attend the upcoming show.

Since Charlotte initially commented, the Academy announced pending reforms to address membership diversification. We live in countries where everyone is more or less accepted.

Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs also said it would immediately diversify its leadership by adding three new seats to its board of governors.

"Someone will always be saying, 'You are too [this or that]'..."

Matt Mueller, editor of film industry publication Screen International, said Rampling's comments may hurt her chances at winning the coveted award.

Rampling gave her statement to CBS because she recently sat down for an interview with Sunday Morning's Anthony Mason to discuss 45 Years.

Chelsea Clinton - daughter of Bill and Hillary Clinton - tweeted: "Outrageous, ignorant & offensive comments from Rampling".

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. Come check me out at #TheOscars this year.