"That was never our intention": Zoe Saldana responds to 'Emilia Pérez' backlash after Oscar win

Zoe Saldana made history at the Oscars last night, as she became the first American of Dominican descent to have won an Academy Award. The Avatar actress won the Oscar in the Best Supporting Actress category for her role in the film Emilia Perez.

However, the film has sparked a different kind of buzz right up to Saldana winning her statue.

Deadline reports that some Mexican audiences reacted harshly to Emilia Pérez because they believed the movie portrayed their nation and its citizens negatively. Old tweets by Karla Sofía Gascón, the movie's Lead Actress nominee, generated criticism and added to the controversy surrounding the film.

In spite of the unfavorable reviews, the movie received 13 nominations and took home two Oscars, including Saldana's.

Saldana addressed a Mexican journalist who said the movie was "hurtful" to Mexican viewers during her post-Oscar interviews, especially because Mexico was a major plot point.

Saldana responded with an apology, adding, "I’m very, very sorry that you and so many Mexicans felt offended. That was never our intention; we came from a place of love, and I stand by that."

She noted the unfavorable responses from Mexican audiences, many of whom believed that the movie's depiction of their nation and its citizens was inaccurate.

Saldana defended the movie in spite of the criticism, stating that it wasn't particularly about Mexico.

"For me, the heart of this movie was not Mexico," she explained, adding, "We were telling a story about four women, and those women could have been from anywhere"

Additionally, Saldana stated that she was looking forward to having more conversations with the Mexican population.

“I’m always open to sit down with all of my Mexican brothers and sisters with love and respect to have a great conversation on how Emilia Pérez could have been done better,” she continued.

Looking back on her career, Saldana talked about how overcoming rejection has molded her and how real appreciation for achievement only occurs when one learns to let go of the need to succeed.

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A brief explanation of the Emilia Perez controversy

The extent to which "Emilia Pérez" might advance was crucial. Netflix would have received its first Best Picture award if it had been able to overcome the criticism and win the major prize at the Oscars.

Karla Sofía Gascón, the film's lead, is the first openly transgender performer to get a nomination for best actress. It would have been much more momentous if they had won.

However, their prospects were seriously jeopardized when Gascón apologized Thursday for earlier remarks, the most recent setback in an Oscar campaign that came too close to a collapse.

Although Gascón was thought to have little chance of defeating Demi Moore (The Substance), the winner was Mikey Madison, who starred in the movie Anora.

However, several movies have survived controversy en route to winning an Oscar. Despite having a lot of critics, the contentious 2019 Best Picture winner Green Book managed to win.

In any case, it should be a close contest this year. Before Anora won the biggest award of the night, an abnormally high number of films were seen to have a realistic chance, including Wicked, Conclave, The Brutalist, Anora, and A Complete Unknown.