After winning an Oscar for Emilia Perez, Zoe Saldana apologized to Mexicans offended by the film’s portrayal of their country. While addressing the backlash, she acknowledged the criticism but defended the film’s intent.

Here’s what Zoe Saldana said about the controversy.

Why did Zoe Saldana apologize to Mexicans?

Zoe Saldana apologized to Mexicans after winning Best Supporting Actress at the 2025 Oscars. The film, which also stars Selena Gomez and Karla Sofia Gascon, has faced criticism for its portrayal of Mexico. Some viewers called it harmful and offensive. During a post-ceremony press conference, a journalist confronted Saldana about the controversy, stating that the movie had been “hurtful” towards Mexicans.

In response, the actress apologized to those offended, clarifying that misrepresentation was never the filmmakers’ intention. However, she firmly defended the film, stating that it was not meant to depict a specific country but rather tell a universal story about women overcoming oppression.

Saldana emphasized, “I’m very, very sorry that you and so many Mexicans felt offended. That was never our intention. We spoke, and we came from a place of love, and I will stand by that.” The actress added, “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.” (via E! News)

She also stated her willingness to engage in discussions with the Mexican community about how the movie could have been improved.

Emilia Perez faced additional controversy when past social media posts from co-star Karla Sofía Gascon resurfaced. The Spanish actress, who made history as the first openly trans Oscar nominee, came under fire for previously sharing offensive remarks on X (formerly Twitter). Her posts targeted Muslims, George Floyd, and diversity in Hollywood, sparking backlash online.