Zoe Saldaña Defended 'Emilia Pérez' Immediately After Her Oscar Win & It’s Not the Answer Fans Wanted
Since its release, the Netflix movie Emilia Pérez has been riddled with controversy. Before Karla Sofía Gascón’s offensive tweets were even resurfaced, the movie was already getting backlash for its representation of trans people and its lack of authenticity representing Mexican culture.
But, while that might be true, actress Zoe Saldaña still swept the Supporting Actress category all award show season long, including her latest Oscar win last night.
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Following her win, however, the press room wasn’t exactly celebratory. In one moment, a Mexican reporter asked the actress about her country’s representation onscreen. “A lot of things [have] been said about the movie, about trans people, about empowering women, but less has been said about Mexico, which is the heart of it,” the reporter told Saldaña (watch the clip here). “What would you say about the heart of this movie, but also the topic [that] is really hurtful for us Mexicans?”
In her response, Saldaña seemingly justified the misrepresentation.
“First of all, I’m very, very sorry that you and so many Mexicans felt offended [by Emilia Pérez],” she said. “That was never our intention. We spoke and came from a place of love, and I will stand by that.”
From her explanation, it seems the harmful stereotypes were perhaps a result of not wanting Mexico to be the “heart” of the movie. “For me, the heart of this movie was not Mexico,” she said. “We weren’t making a film about a country. We were making a film about four women.”
“And these women could have been Russian, could have been Dominican, could have been Black from Detroit, could have been from Israel, could have been from Gaza,” she continued. “And these women are still very universal women that are struggling every day trying to survive systemic oppression and trying to find their most authentic voices.”
Zoe Saldana at the 97th Oscars held at the Dolby Theatre on March 2, 2025 in Hollywood, California.
“So I will stand by that, but I’m also always open to sit down with all of my Mexican brothers and sisters, and with love and respect, having a great conversation on how Emilia could’ve been done better,” she continued. “I have no problem. I welcome it. Thank you.”
Following the comments, the fan reaction has been entirely negative. After all, saying that a movie set in Mexico about Mexican women and the Mexican drug cartels is not about Mexico is, well, nonsensical.
“What an ignorant statement,” one X user said of her answer. “The location is a main element of a film. These characters’ story is rooted in Mexico and one of its darkest issues. Pathetic response that shows lack of empathy. You lost my respect @zoesaldana.”
“Mexicans characters, Mexicans locations, Mexican culture, Mexican problems… Tell me how Mexican isn’t the center of the movie?” another user echoed. “Our problems (and the problems of the world) aren’t interchangeable.”
Plus, the women who are the so-called “heart” of the movie aren’t entirely inspirational either. “3 of those 4 women, are f— criminals,” wrote one annoyed X user. “A mass murderer and drug trafficker, a corrupt lawyer helping a criminal scape justice, and a wife, enjoying the benefits of his criminal husband. What the hell is she talking about???????????????????????”
Most of all, fans are seeing a shift in Saldaña’s sentiments. Now that she’s won the biggest award of the season, fans think she’s taking off her filters and changing her tune. “Now that she’s won all the awards she’ll say what she always thought,” one user wrote.
While fans will undoubtedly continue to criticize the movie, we can only hope the drama around it dies down now that the award show season is officially over.
Before you go, click here to all the best looks on the 2025 Oscars red carpet.
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