The Best Supporting Actress winner reacted to a journalist who shared that the film had been "really hurtful" for her people.

Zoe Saldaña defended Emilia Pérez ‘s depiction of Mexico, while also apologizing for those who felt hurt.

Emilia Pérez, which debuted on Netflix in November 2024, follows the story of four women in Mexico, led by cartel leader Emilia, played by Karla Sofía Gascón, and lawyer Rita, portrayed by Saldaña. Here’s the film’s description:

Zoe Saldaña responded to criticism about "Emilia Pérez" in the press room after her best supporting actress win at the 2025 Oscars.

Zoe Saldaña has apologized to the people of Mexico for any offense caused by Emilia Pérez. Speaking backstage at the Oscars following her Best Supporting Actress win Sunday night, Saldaña responded to a Mexican journalist who said the film had been “very very hurtful to Mexican people,” especially since Mexico was “at the heart” of the film.

Zoë Saldaña is not done answering for Emilia Pérez’s many controversies, this time apologizing for the film’s Mexico representation mere moments after winning Best Supporting Actress at the Oscars for the film.

Nobody wants the first thing they do after winning as Oscar to be “apologize to an entire country,” but when you starred in Emilia Pérez, this kind of thing has to be expected at this point. Zoë Saldaña won the 2025 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress,

"We weren't making a film about a country," she told reporters backstage after being honored as Best Supporting Actress