After winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, Zoe Saldaña, the star of “Emilia Pérez,” addressed the backlash regarding the film’s depiction of Mexico. This came after a journalist expressed that the portrayal has been “really hurtful for us Mexicans.” In a thoughtful response during a press interview, Saldaña stated, “First of all, I’m very, very sorry that many Mexicans felt offended. That was never our intention. We spoke from a place of love.”
Saldaña emphasized that the core of the film transcends cultural boundaries. “I don’t share your opinion. For me, the heart of this movie was not Mexico. We were making a film about friendship. We were making a film about four women.” She elaborated on the universal nature of the characters, saying, “These women could have been Russian, Dominican, Black from Detroit, or from Gaza. They represent universal women who struggle daily against systemic oppression while striving to express their most authentic voices.” Saldaña expressed her openness to engage in meaningful dialogue with her Mexican audience, stating, “I welcome it.”
During her emotional acceptance speech, Saldaña reflected on her family's immigrant background, saying, “My grandmother came to this country in 1961 — I am a proud child of immigrant parents. With dreams and dignity and hard-working hands, and I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award, and I hope I will not be the last.” She highlighted the significance of her role, noting, “The fact that I’m getting an award for a role where I got to sing and speak in Spanish — my grandmother, if she were here, she would be so delighted, this is for my grandmother.”
Despite facing criticism from both the Mexican and queer communities throughout the awards season, “Emilia Pérez” emerged as a frontrunner at the Oscars, garnering a remarkable 13 nominations. Saldaña clinched the award for Best Supporting Actress, while the film's musical number “El Mal” secured the award for Original Song. However, the film also faced challenges, with 11 losses across various categories, marking it as one of the biggest losers in Oscar history, alongside films like “The Color Purple” and “The Power of the Dog.”
