Actress Zoe Saldana has spoken out for the first time regarding the controversy surrounding her Emilia Perez co-star Karla Sofia Gascon, following the revelation of Gascon’s past bigoted tweets.
During a Q&A session in London on Friday, Saldana expressed her disappointment, calling the situation “really sad” and reaffirming her strong stance against intolerance, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
“I’m still processing everything that has transpired in the last couple of days, and I’m sad,” said Saldana, who is nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar.
Her remarks came at an event where Gascon was originally scheduled to appear but did not attend, as per The Hollywood Reporter.
Saldana continued, “It makes me really sad because I don’t support [it], and I don’t have any tolerance for any negative rhetoric towards people of any group.”
She also reflected on her experience working on Emilia Perez, highlighting the film’s core values of inclusivity and collaboration.
“I can only attest to the experience that I had with each and every individual that was a part, that is a part, of this film,” she shared. “My experience and my interactions with them were about inclusivity and collaboration and racial, cultural, and gender equity. And it just saddens me.”
Despite the controversy, Saldana emphasized the importance of the film’s message and the need to push forward.
“It saddens me that we are having to face this setback right now. But I’m happy that you’re all here and that you’re all still showing up for Emilia,” she said, acknowledging the film’s impact on marginalized communities.
She concluded her statement by reaffirming her belief in the film’s purpose, stating, “The message that this film has is so powerful, and the change that it can bring forward to communities that are marginalized day in and day out is important. And all that I can attest is that all of us that came together to tell this story, we came together for love and for respect and curiosity, and we will continue to spread that message.”