Zoe Saldaña Responds to Controversy OverEmilia Pérezwith Apology and Pride
Zoe Saldaña has officially addressed the backlash surrounding her Oscar-winning role in Emilia Pérez , a Netflix musical that has sparked controversy, particularly among Mexican audiences. After securing the Best Supporting Actress award at the 97th Academy Awards, Saldaña faced tough questions in the press room about the film’s portrayal of Mexican culture.
A journalist expressed concerns, saying the movie had been "really hurtful" to many Mexicans. Saldaña, while standing by the film, offered an apology, saying, "I’m very, very sorry that you and so many Mexicans felt offended. That was never our intention. We spoke from a place of love." However, she also made it clear that she didn’t fully agree with the criticism.
"For me, the heart of this movie was not Mexico," she explained. "We were making a film about friendship. We were making a film about four women. These women could have been from anywhere—Russia, the Dominican Republic, Detroit, Israel, or Gaza. Their struggles are universal."
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Despite the controversy, Saldaña used her Oscar moment to celebrate her heritage and honor her family’s immigrant roots. She dedicated the award to her late grandmother, emphasizing how meaningful it was to win an Oscar for a role that allowed her to sing and speak in Spanish. "My grandmother came to this country in 1961," she said. "I am the proud child of immigrant parents with dreams, dignity, and hardworking hands."
Her win marks a historic moment, as she became the first American actor of Dominican origin to receive an Oscar. She expressed confidence that she wouldn’t be the last, highlighting the growing representation of diverse voices in Hollywood.
Emilia Pérez , despite leading the night with 13 nominations, won only two awards—Saldaña’s and Best Original Song. The film had already been a hot topic due to multiple controversies, including criticism from the LGBTQ+ community and resurfaced offensive tweets by lead actress Karla Sofía Gascón. Director Jacques Audiard previously responded to the backlash, stating, "If there are things that seem shocking in Emilia Pérez , then I am sorry… Cinema doesn’t provide answers; it only asks questions."
While the night belonged to Anora , which won Best Picture and four other awards, Saldaña’s win remains a landmark achievement. Whether Emilia Pérez will continue to be debated or eventually find a more accepting audience remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Zoe Saldaña has firmly made her mark in Oscar history.
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