Zoe Saldaña is speaking out for the first time since her Emilia Pérez co-star, Karla Sofía Gascón, faced backlash over resurfaced racist tweets from 2019-2020. At a Q&A in London on Friday, Saldaña expressed her disappointment, saying, “I’m still processing everything that has transpired,” while reaffirming her zero-tolerance stance on discrimination.
Saldaña, who stars in the film alongside Gascón, clarified that she does not condone hate speech and values inclusivity. She highlighted the film’s dedication to collaboration, equity, and respect across racial, cultural, and gender lines, making the controversy especially painful for her.
Despite the controversy, Saldaña emphasized the importance of the film’s message, particularly for marginalized communities, and expressed gratitude for the continued support from fans. She stated, “The message that this film has is so powerful, and the change that it can bring forward is important.”
With Gascón absent from the event, Saldaña stressed that the film’s set was defined by love and respect. “We came together for love and respect,” she concluded, making it clear that the project’s core values remain unchanged.
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