Common says a simple misunderstanding caused him to shun a high-five from Oprah Winfrey at the Academy Awards.

The rapper-turned-actor won the award for Best Original Song for 'Glory' - his collaboration with John Legend - but failed to celebrate the moment with 'Selma' producer Oprah because he was too caught up in the moment.

Recalling the moment - which caused a buzz on social media - Common said: ''Oprah had her hand up to give me a clap - I thought she was giving John a clap so I went past her hand and went to [Selma actor] David Oyelowo. They created a big hype about it. Oprah is someone who I love dearly so I have nothing but reverence for her.

''I talked to her the next day and I don't think she even knew that happened. This is a billion-dollar woman! Do you think she cares if I walked a little past her? But it wasn't done on purpose!''

Meanwhile, the 43-year-old star - who's appeared in 'American Gangster' and alongside Liam Neeson in 'Run All Night' - also revealed his desire to take on more challenging acting roles.

He told The Independent newspaper: ''I wanna strive to be a great actor and take roles on that nobody would expect me to play and that may have been written for a whole type of other human being.

''When I look at the actors that I've loved - whether it's Sean Penn or Philip Seymour Hoffman - these people can go anywhere.''