Zoe Saldana has expressed her disappointment over the scandal that has emerged surrounding *Emilia Perez*, the Oscar-nominated film in which she stars.
The controversy stems from past tweets by her co-star, Karla Sofia Gascon, who is nominated for Best Actress for her role in the film.
These tweets, which have recently resurfaced, include offensive comments
that have sparked widespread criticism, particularly from within the Hollywood community.
Despite Gascon’s public apology for the messages, many believe her past actions could impact the film’s chances at the upcoming Academy Awards.
Saldana, who herself is nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Rita in *Emilia Perez*, has spoken candidly about the situation, emphasizing her feelings of sadness and disappointment.
In an interview with *Variety*, the 46-year-old actress explained that the events surrounding Gascon’s controversial tweets have deeply affected her. “I’m sad. Time and time again, that’s the word because that is the sentiment that has been living in my chest since everything happened,” Saldana shared. She expressed that she never anticipated the film and its cast would be affected in this way, adding, “Never in a million years did I believe that we would be here.”
The tweets in question were posted by Gascon in the past and touched on sensitive topics, including derogatory comments about the Muslim community, the late George Floyd, and the diversity of the Academy Awards. Gascon, who recently became the first transgender woman to be nominated for an Oscar, has since issued a public apology. In her statement, Gascon acknowledged the hurt her past social media posts had caused, expressing deep regret for the pain she had inflicted. She stated, “I want to acknowledge the conversation around my past social media posts that have caused hurt. As someone in a marginalized community, I know this suffering all too well and I am deeply sorry to those I have caused pain.”
However, the damage may already have been done. The resurfacing of these tweets has led to significant backlash, not only from fans but from within the entertainment industry itself. In light of the controversy, some believe that Gascon’s past behavior may overshadow the film’s Oscar campaign. There have even been reports that Netflix, the streaming platform behind *Emilia Perez*, has begun distancing itself from Gascon in its promotional materials. Her image has reportedly been removed from posters, with a focus instead placed on Saldana in the studio’s “For Your Consideration” materials for the Oscars.
Saldana addressed the situation during a recent Q&A in London, where she explained her own stance on the matter. “I don’t support [it], and I don’t have any tolerance for any negative rhetoric towards people of any group,” Saldana said. She emphasized that her experience working on *Emilia Perez* had been one of inclusivity, collaboration, and respect. “All I can attest to is my experience and my interactions with them. It was about inclusivity and collaboration and racial, cultural, and gender equity. And it just saddens me.”
While Saldana acknowledged the controversy, she also stressed the positive intentions of the film’s cast and crew, many of whom worked together with a shared commitment to love, respect, and curiosity. “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,” she said.
Despite the negative attention, *Emilia Perez* remains a critically acclaimed film, with both Saldana and Gascon receiving widespread praise for their performances. As the Academy Awards approach, Saldana’s nomination for Best Supporting Actress has made her a strong contender for the coveted Oscar, with many predicting she will be among the frontrunners for the award. However, the ongoing controversy surrounding Gascon’s past actions adds an unexpected layer of complexity to the film’s journey to Oscar night.
For Netflix, the decision to scale back Gascon’s presence in promotional materials is seen as an attempt to mitigate any potential damage to the film’s campaign. With the Oscars just around the corner, the situation remains fluid, and it is unclear whether the scandal will significantly impact the film’s chances or the individual nominations of Saldana and Gascon. As Hollywood continues to grapple with issues of accountability and past behavior, *Emilia Perez*’s Oscar campaign is now part of a larger conversation about how the industry handles such controversies and their potential consequences.
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