Julie Delpy sparks anger after saying 'sometimes wish I were African American'

'Nothing worse than being a woman in this business. I really believe that'

The french-born actress has apologised (AFP/Getty)

Julie Delby has sparked public outrage after saying it is “easier” to be black than to be a woman in Hollywood.

The two-time Oscar-nominated French-American actress stirred controversy after thecomments at a panel discussion at the Sundance Film Festival.

“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," she said.

“I sometimes wish I were African American because people don’t bash you afterward.

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

The 46-year-old's comments come amid an ongoing controversy surrounding a lack of racial diversity at the Oscars, with Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith and Spike Lee pledging to boycott this year's award ceremony.

It is the second year in a row that not one black actor has been nominated for any of the main award categories, with the hashtag #Oscarsssowhite having trended on Twitter.

The French-born actress and screenwriter has since apologised for her comments, speaking to Entertainment Weekly.

“I’m very sorry for how I expressed myself," she said.

"It was never meant to diminish the injustice done to African American artists or to any other people that struggle for equal opportunities and rights, on the contrary.

“All I was trying to do is to address the issues of inequality of opportunity in the industry for women as well (as I am a woman). I never intended to underestimate anyone else’s struggle. We should stay alert and united and support each other to change this unfair reality and don’t let anyone sabotage our common efforts by distorting the truth.

“Again I’m so sorry for this unfortunate misunderstanding, people who know me, know very well that I can’t stand inequality and injustice of any kind”.

Charlotte Rampling, the nominee for the Best Actress category for her role in 45 Years, has also been on the receiving end of criticism for claiming the Oscars diversity row was “racist against white people”.

Following mounting outrage over the lack of diversity of nominees, the Academy Awards has announced it will double female and minority members of the Academy by 2020.