As the 2025 Oscars approach, Zoe Saldana has broken her silence on the controversy surrounding her Emilia Pérez co-star Karla Sofía Gascón, who has faced backlash over resurfaced offensive social media posts.
Saldana, 46, who is nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Netflix musical, expressed her sadness over the situation while reaffirming her commitment to inclusivity and equity.
The Controversy
Gascón, 52, who is nominated for Best Actress, has come under fire for a series of old tweets containing offensive remarks about various minority groups.
The resurfaced posts have sparked widespread criticism, casting a shadow over her historic nomination as the first transgender actress to be recognized in the category.
In a statement to The Independent, Gascón addressed the controversy, saying,:
“I want to acknowledge the conversation around my past social media posts that have caused hurt. As someone in a marginalized community, I know this suffering all too well, and I am deeply sorry to those I have caused pain. All my life I have fought for a better world. I believe light will always triumph over darkness.”
Saldana’s Response
During a Q&A event in London alongside Emilia Pérez director Jacques Audiard and songwriters-composers Camille and Clément Ducol, Saldana was asked about the controversy. Gascón was notably absent from the event.
“I’m still processing everything that has transpired in the last couple of days, and I’m sad,” Saldana said. “It makes me really sad because I don’t support [it], and I don’t have any tolerance for any negative rhetoric towards people of any group.”
Saldana, who is currently the frontrunner for Best Supporting Actress, her positive experiences working on the film:
“I can only attest to the experience that I had with each and every individual that was a part, that is a part, of this film, and my experience and my interactions with them was about inclusivity and collaboration and racial, cultural, and gender equity. And it just saddens me.”
A Message of Hope
Despite the controversy, Saldana urged audiences to focus on the powerful message of Emilia Pérez, which tells the story of a crime boss (played by Gascón) who fakes her death and undergoes a gender transition with the help of a lawyer (played by Saldana). The film has been nominated for 13 Oscars, including Best Picture.
“It saddens me that we are having to face this setback right now,” Saldana continued. “But I’m happy that you’re all here and that you’re all still showing up for Emilia because the message that this film has is so powerful, and the change that it can bring forward to communities that are marginalized day in and day out is important. All that I can attest is that all of us that came together to tell this story, we came together for love and for respect and curiosity, and we will continue to spread that message. That’s all we can say right now. Thank you.”
As the Oscars draw near, the controversy has added a layer of complexity to the awards season. While Gascón’s past remarks have sparked debate, Saldana’s response highlights the importance of accountability and the ongoing fight for inclusivity in Hollywood.
The 2025 Oscars will take place on March 3, 2025, with Emilia Pérez and its cast and crew hoping to make history both on and off the stage.
