Zoe Salda?a Stands Up for ‘Emilia Pérez’ Amid Criticism: “We Weren’t Making a Film About a Country”
Zoe Salda?a defended Emilia Pérez‘s depiction of Mexico, while also apologizing for those who felt hurt.
The actress was responding to a reporter who pressed the now Oscar winner about those in the Mexican community who felt hurt by the film, particularly since, as the reporter phrased it, Mexico was at the heart of the story. “I’m very, very sorry that you and so many Mexicans felt offended. That was never our intention,” Salda?a said in the press room after the 2025 Oscars.
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“We spoke and we came from a place of love, and I will stand by that. I don’t share your opinion. For me, the heart of this movie, was not Mexico,” she continued. “We weren’t making a film about a country. We were making a film about four women.”
Salda?a emphasized that the women at the center of the film — played by Salda?a, Selena Gomez and the embattled Karla Sofía Gascón — could’ve been from any background. “These women could have been Russian, could have been Dominican, could have been Black [and] from Detroit, could have been from Israel, could have been from Gaza,” she said. “These women are still very universal women that are struggling every day at trying to survive systemic oppression and trying to find their most authentic voices, so I will stand by that.”
Though the actress pushed back against the criticism of the film’s portrayal, she did indicate that she’s willing to have conservations with those impacted. “I’m also always open to sit down with all of my Mexican brothers and sisters, and with love and respect, having a great conversation on how Emilia could have been done better,” she said. “[I] have no problem. I welcome it.”
Salda?a won her first Oscar for her role as lawyer Rita Mora Castro in Emilia Perez from French filmmaker Jacques Audiard. Sunday night’s win comes after wins at the Golden Globes, SAG Awards, Critics’ Choice Awards and BAFTA. The film has been widely criticized on social media for its portrayal of Mexico and the trans community; it has also been at the center of controversy following racially charged posts on X (formerly Twitter) from Gascón.
The 97th Academy Awards were hosted by Conan O’Brien at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. See the star-studded Oscars red carpet 2025 arrivals from Sunday night. See the full winners list here.
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