Zoe Saldaña has addressed the controversy surrounding her Emilia Pérez co-star Karla Sofía Gascón, expressing sadness over the situation while distancing herself from any rhetoric of racism or bigotry.
During an interview on Variety’s Awards Circuit podcast, Saldaña admitted she was deeply affected by the backlash against Gascón, whose since-deleted tweets sparked outrage. Though she refrained from passing judgment, she emphasized that the situation has weighed heavily on her.
“I never in a million years thought we’d be here,” she said, adding that she’s still processing everything that has unfolded.
When asked whether she had been in contact with Gascón since the controversy erupted, she declined to comment.
Gascón previously claimed that her Emilia Pérez co-stars, including Saldaña and Selena Gomez, support her “200 percent.” However, Saldaña made it clear that while she does not judge individuals, she firmly rejects any form of racism or bigotry.
“I do not support any negative rhetoric,” she stated, reaffirming her personal beliefs. Despite the controversy, she also expressed pride in the work they did on Emilia Pérez, which has received an Oscar nomination.
Saldaña’s comments came shortly after the film’s director, Jacques Audiard, spoke to Deadline, calling Gascón’s handling of the situation “self-destructive.” He revealed that he had not spoken to her since the controversy began.
The fallout continues to unfold as Emilia Pérez remains in the spotlight. What do you think about the way the cast and crew are responding to this controversy?
