Zoe Saldaña Apologizes After Oscar Win for 'Emilia Pérez'

Zoe Saldaña, who won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in 'Emilia Pérez', addressed criticism regarding the film's portrayal of Mexico, which some found offensive. She apologized to those who felt hurt, emphasizing that the intention was to create a film from a place of love about four universal women, not to depict Mexico specifically. Saldaña clarified that the film focuses on women from diverse backgrounds dealing with systemic oppression, and expressed openness to dialogue with the Mexican community on how the film could have been improved. The film, which faced backlash for its portrayal of Mexican culture and inclusion of a trans character, won two Oscars after leading with 13 nominations. Despite the controversies, Saldaña highlighted her heritage and immigrant background during her acceptance speech, expressing pride in being the first American of Dominican origin to win an Oscar. The film's director, Jacques Audiard, also faced questions about the lack of mention of trans issues in his acceptance opportunities.