Benedict Cumberbatch: I'm 'an Idiot' for Referring to 'Colored' Actors

By Madeleine Davies  |  January 27, 2015 | 3:30pm
CelebritiesDirt Bag

Benedict Cumberbatch has apologized for using the term “colored” in a conversation about race, saying that he is “devastated to have caused offense by using this outmoded terminology” and is sorry for “being an idiot.”

Talking about diversity in Hollywood on PBS’ Tavis Smiley last week, Cumberbatch remarked:

“I think as far as colored actors go, it gets really difficult in the U.K., and a lot of my friends have had more opportunities (in the U.S.) than in the U.K. and that’s something that needs to change.”

Since the airing, Show Racism the Red Card, a U.K. organization, has called out Cumberbatch for using such an “outdated” and politically incorrect term and t
he actor quickly issued the following apology:

“I’m devastated to have caused offense by using this outmoded terminology. I offer my sincere apologies. I make no excuse for my being an idiot and know the damage is done.
I can only hope this incident will highlight the need for correct usage of terminology that is accurate and inoffensive.The most shaming aspect of this for me is that I was talking about racial inequality in the performing arts in the U.K. and the need for rapid improvements in our industry when I used the term. I feel the complete fool I am and while I am sorry to have offended people and to learn from my mistakes in such a public manner please be assured I have. I apologize again to anyone who I offended for this thoughtless use of inappropriate language about an issue which affects friends of mine and which I care about deeply.”

An apology wherein someone accepts blame, learns from their mistakes and helps inform others? Well, I never.

[ NYDN/E! Online]

Weep not for Emma Stone and her tragic public life. Talking to Maria Menounos about her recent viral photobomb of a fan, Stone said, “I’ve done a few different things in situations like that, so it’s not always that way, but it just felt like she was taking a photo so I thought why not do something silly.” Asked whether or not it’s hard to have people taking your picture all the time, she responded sarcastically, “You know, life is so hard. I would so much rather be doing anything else.” [ONTD]

Police were called to Tao nightclub in Park City Utah after a female film executive claimed that she was assaulted by Into the Wild‘s Emile Hirsch at a Sundance party. According to a Page Six source, “Something happened between the movie exec and Emile, and she said she had been assaulted and asked security to call the police. Emile didn’t leave the scene, and calmly waited for the police to arrive, and spoke with them until around 5 a.m., after which he went home with his friends. No arrests were made.”

The investigation, according to Park City police, is ongoing. [ Page Six/Variety]

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Photos via Getty, Instagram.

 
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