Jane Campion

Jane Campion has been slammed for her remarks about the Williams sisters at the Critics Choice Awards. Image via Getty Images Photographer: Michael Kovac

Jane Campion slammed for ‘glaringly awful’ Critics Choice speech [watch]

‘You do not play against the guys like I have to,’ said Jane Campion to Venus and Serena Williams at the Critics Choice Awards.

Jane Campion

Jane Campion has been slammed for her remarks about the Williams sisters at the Critics Choice Awards. Image via Getty Images Photographer: Michael Kovac

The Power of the Dog director, Jane Campion, won the Best Director Award at the 27th annual Critics Choice Awards on Sunday 13 March held at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles. Although Campion received one of the biggest awards of the evening, it was her acceptance speech that had the world buzzing. 

In her speech, the star director made a remark towards tennis giants Venus and Serena Williams pointing out that they “do not play against the guys likes he has to”. Reacting to Campion’s remarks, one tweep said her words were “ugly and uncalled for”. 

ALSO READ: Thuso Mbedu & more best-dressed stars at Critics Choice Awards [photos]

JANE CAMPION’S CRITICS CHOICE AWARDS ACCEPTANCE SPEECH 

Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog has received several accolades in 2022 including the Best Film Award at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs). Campion was the only woman nominated in the Best Director category at the Critics Choice Awards and she came out victorious. 

Dune director Denis Villeneuve, West Side Story’s Steven Spielberg and Belfast’s Kenneth Branagh were all nominated in the category. 

Accepting her award, Jane Campion said it was “absolutely stunning” to be in the room with other incredible women. Campion gave a “shoutout” to Serena and Venus Williams and jokingly said she was open to some tennis lessons from them then made a remark about their opponents on the court…

“Serena and Venus you are such marvels. However, you do not play against the guys, like I have to,” said the New Zealand-born director. 

TAKE A LOOK 

‘UGLY AND UNCALLED FOR’

Taking to Twitter to share their thoughts on Jane Campion’s Critics Choice Awards speech, one tweep said her statement about the Williams sisters was “so ugly and uncalled for”. 

“White feminism in a nutshell,” added the tweep. 

“So clearly unnecessary, so glaringly awful, that is an impressive self-defeat,” wrote another tweep. 

“She always does this. Says something awesome and says something stupid right after.” 

WILL JANE CAMPION DOMINATE THE OSCARS? 

After becoming the third woman to win the Directors Guild Award, Jane Campion has cemented herself as a front runner for several awards at the Oscars on Sunday 27 March. 

The Power of the Dog is nominated for the 12 awards at the prestigious awards ceremony. 

Take a look at all the nominees here