“Thank you so much for all the impassioned comments regarding the casting of the wonderful Emma Stone in the part of Allison Ng,” Crowe wrote. “I have heard your words and your disappointment, and I offer you a heartfelt apology to all who felt this was an odd or misguided casting choice.”

According to Crowe, he based the character on a real-life, redheaded woman from Hawaii who always felt compelled to over-explain her heritage.

Crowe disavowed Stone of any responsibility in the controversy, crediting the actress for her “tireless research” and adding, “I am the one to blame.”

“I am grateful for the dialogue,” the director continued. “And from the many voices, loud and small, I have learned something very inspiring. So many of us are hungry for stories with more racial diversity, more truth in representation, and I am anxious to help tell those stories in the future.”