The protest was aimed at the exclusion of women from the best director Academy Award nominations.
Although McGowan did not directly apologize or mention Portman by name, she took to Twitter to state that her criticism should have been focused on Hollywood's culture of silence rather than critiquing someone personally.
She acknowledged that all voices, no matter how they are expressed, are valid and called for everyone to push boundaries in their own way.
McGowan had sparked controversy with her post accusing Portman of being a "fraud" because she believed Portman's type of activism to be offensive to those who actually work in the field.
Portman had received widespread attention for her dress at the 2020 Oscars, which was embroidered with the names of female filmmakers who had not been nominated for that year's best director award.
Portman responded to the criticism, stating that while she agrees with McGowan that wearing a garment with women's names on it is not brave, she associates bravery with the women who have been testifying against Harvey Weinstein under incredible pressure.
