Zoe Saldaña apologizes to Mexican audience for ‘Emilia Pérez’ backlash, says it was never meant to offend

After winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, Zoe Saldaña addressed concerns from the Mexican community about her film Emilia Pérez. Speaking backstage at the awards ceremony, she responded to a Mexican journalist who said the movie had been deeply hurtful to many people in Mexico, given that the country played a central role in the film’s story.

Saldaña expressed her regret, saying she was "very, very sorry" that some people felt offended. She emphasized that the filmmakers never intended to cause harm and that they approached the project with love.

According to Deadline, Emilia Pérez received backlash from some Mexican audiences who felt that it misrepresented their country and its people. The controversy surrounding the film was further complicated by old tweets from Karla Sofía Gascón, the film’s Lead Actress nominee, which sparked criticism. Despite the negative reactions, the film was still a major presence at the Oscars, earning 13 nominations and winning two awards, including Saldaña’s.

However, Saldaña disagreed with the idea that Emilia Pérez was specifically about Mexico. She explained that, for her, the film focused on four women navigating systemic oppression, rather than telling the story of a single country. She pointed out that the characters could have been from different backgrounds—Russian, Dominican, Black from Detroit, or from Israel or Gaza—and that their struggles were universal.

She also said she was open to discussing the issue further, stating that she would welcome conversations with her “Mexican brothers and sisters” about how the film could have been improved.

Reflecting on her journey as an actress, Saldaña shared how she had faced many disappointments in her career. She recalled moments when she didn’t get roles she deeply cared about but kept pushing forward. Winning an Oscar, she said, was not just about the victory itself but about appreciating every step that led her there.