Zoe Saldaña Apologizes to Oscars Reporter Who SaysEmilia PérezIs 'Really Hurtful to Us Mexicans': Watch

Mar. 15, 2025

“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, 46. “What would you say about the heart of this movie, but also the topic [that] is really hurtful for us Mexicans?”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

Zoe Saldaña inEmilia Pérez(2024).Shanna Besson/PAGE 114

Shanna Besson/PAGE 114

The actress, who is of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent, went on to say that she doesn’t “share [the reporter’s] opinion,” in that “for me, the heart of this movie was not Mexico. We weren’t making a film about a country. We weremaking a film aboutfour 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.”

JC Olivera/WWD via Getty

Other commentators and social media users questioned the authenticity of French directorJacques Audiardand his actors’ portrayal of modern Mexico.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Kevin Winter/Getty

Emilia Pérezis a Spanish-language musical crime drama that stars Saldaña as Rita, a lawyer tasked with helping the movie’s title character (Gascón) obtain a gender-affirming surgery to escape life as a cartel boss.

The movie alsowon Best Original Songat this year’s Oscars and was themost-nominated filmof the evening, with 13 nods total. Also nominated in this year’s Best Supporting Actress category alongside Saldaña wereMonica Barbaro(A Complete Unknown),Ariana Grande(Wicked),Felicity Jones(The Brutalist) andIsabella Rossellini(Conclave).

After an emotional speech that honored her team and family (including husbandMarco Peregoandhis “beautiful hair”), Saldaña said, “I am a proud child of immigrant parents with dreams and dignity and hardworking hands, and I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award and I know I will not be the last. I hope.”

source: people.com