Meryl Streep: Lagerfeld Lied, Owes Me an Apology

Meryl Streep is not happy with Karl Lagerfeld or Women's Wear Daily right now. After the designer claimed Streep changed her mind about wearing Chanel to the Oscars in favor of a different designer who agreed to pay her, Streep denied the story and Lagerfeld issued a statement retracting it on Saturday (he called it a misunderstanding). But, asked about the situation by People, Streep did not mince words. "Karl Lagerfeld, a prominent designer, defamed me, my stylist, and the illustrious designer whose dress I chose to wear, in an important industry publication," she says. "That publication printed this defamation, unchecked."

She says the story became so big that it continues "to overwhelm my appearance at the Oscars, on the occasion of my record breaking 20th nomination, and to eclipse this honor in the eyes of the media, my colleagues, and the audience. I do not take this lightly, and Mr. Lagerfeld’s generic 'statement' of regret for this 'controversy' was not an apology. He lied, they printed the lie, and I am still waiting." Chanel has issued its own statement, which is a bit more apologetic than Lagerfeld's. The design house says it always knew Streep was considering multiple options for her Academy Awards dress, and that it has "continued and deep respect for Ms. Streep." (More Meryl Streep stories.)