Zoe Saldaña Speaks Out on ‘Emilia Pérez’ Controversy After Oscar Win
Zoe Saldaña made history at the 97th Academy Awards, winning Best Supporting Actress for her role in Emilia Pérez . But her big night wasn’t without controversy. After the ceremony, she addressed concerns from a Mexican reporter who claimed the film was “hurtful” to Mexicans. Saldaña, standing firm in her response, made it clear that the movie was never meant to be about Mexico specifically.
“We weren’t making a film about a country,” she explained backstage. “We were making a film about women. These women could have been from anywhere—Russia, the Dominican Republic, Detroit, Israel, Gaza. The struggles they face are universal.”
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Her words came in response to the ongoing debate surrounding Emilia Pérez , which has faced criticism over its portrayal of Mexico, as well as controversy surrounding actress Karla Sofía Gascón’s past social media posts. Despite the backlash, Saldaña defended the film’s intentions, saying it came “from a place of love” and that she stands by its message. However, she also expressed an openness to discussion, stating, “I am always open to sitting down with my Mexican brothers and sisters to have a great conversation on how Emilia could have been done better.”
Emilia Pérez secured two Oscars that night—one for Saldaña’s performance and another for Best Original Song, El Mal . Director Jacques Audiard, who chose to shoot the Mexican-set story on a soundstage in France rather than in Mexico, did not address the controversy in his acceptance speech. Later, when asked about the trans community—given that Gascón is the first openly transgender woman to be nominated for Best Actress—Audiard said he would have spoken on the issue had he won Best Director or Best Picture.
The film has sparked discussions on cultural representation, with some viewers questioning its depiction of Mexico and others praising its themes of systemic oppression and female resilience. Meanwhile, Saldaña’s historic Oscar win as the first American of Dominican origin to take home the award adds another layer of significance to the night.
Despite the mixed reactions, one thing is clear— Emilia Pérez has made an impact, and Saldaña is standing by her work while welcoming dialogue.
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