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Newton: 'Berry rivalry made me bitter'

Newton: 'Berry rivalry made me bitter'

Rex Features

Thandie Newton has revealed that she became bitter when competing against Halle Berry for the top black female roles in Hollywood.

Newton, who plays Condoleezza Rice in Oliver Stone's W., said more needs to be done to provide a wider range of parts for black women.

However, she said the industry is in a better state than it was ten years ago and she is relieved that she no longer has to worry about her rivalry with Berry.

"Back then I was the only black actress in England working in American movies. Me and Halle Berry were always going up for the same roles," she said.

"I used to be quite bitter about it. Then it occurred to me that we really need to put more positive energy into it.

"I think it's a very innocent thing. A lot of people that are writing the material don't have any black friends so they just don't think about it. It's like writers just need to be constantly reminded that these characters could be multiracial."

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