Zoe Saldaña Is ‘Processing’ the Karla Sofía Gascón Fallout, but ‘I’m Allowing Myself to Still Experience Joy’ Amid ‘Emilia Pérez’ Oscar Campaign

Zoe Saldaña is addressing the uproar concerning her co-star Karla Sofía Gascón in their movie “Emilia Pérez”. Recent posts from Gascón’s past on social media have been criticized for being offensive and Islamophobic, which has diverted attention away from the film’s significant Oscar recognition, including Saldaña’s first nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards.

During a chat for an impending episode on the EbMaster Awards Circuit Podcast, Saldaña voiced her sorrow regarding the circumstances, stressing that the movie was made to promote inclusiveness and affection.

Saldaña expresses feelings of sadness and disappointment. She explains that she’s felt sad repeatedly since the event occurred, describing this emotion as something that has resided within her heart. Furthermore, she admits to being disappointed, acknowledging that she can’t vouch for others’ actions. Instead, she can only share her own experience, stating that she never imagined we would find ourselves in this situation.

The Jacques Audiard-directed Spanish musical crime drama garnered an impressive 13 Oscar nominations, setting a record for the most nominations ever received by a non-English language film at the Academy Awards. Yet, recent comments made by Gascón on social media have sparked controversy, leaving some in the industry struggling to distinguish the movie’s success from this unfolding issue.

Saldaña, who works with Gascón along with Selena Gomez, Adriana Paz, and Édgar Ramírez, declined to share if they’ve discussed the ongoing controversy since it started.

She mentioned that she’s shared enough thoughts on the topic, but also clarified that she’s still thinking things through regarding the situation. She emphasized that there’s no need for an immediate resolution.

In an interview on CNN Español, Gascón asserted that Saldaña and Gomez are fully behind him with their support. However, when questioned about this, Saldaña hesitated, not explicitly confirming the statement. Instead, she recalled a comment she made in London, where she denounced bigotry and racism.

She emphasized once more that she does not endorse any hateful speech based on race or intolerance towards any community. That’s the stance she wishes to uphold.

Regardless of the ongoing debate, Saldaña remains optimistic that the film’s impact will continue and viewers will appreciate the efforts of all those who contributed to it.

She expresses her optimistic nature, stating, ‘I’ll always remain hopeful.’ Growing up, she was taught not to harbor prejudice against anyone, regardless of their community. Maintaining this positive outlook, she can still take pride in the body of work she’s created.

In my movie-loving perspective, I’m deeply invested in the far-reaching effects that “Emilia Pérez” will have on the cinematic world, and I’m passionate about the power of daring narratives. As I continue to advance in my acting journey, this project holds a significant place in my heart and professional growth.

As a passionate cinephile, I firmly believe it’s crucial for our creative filmmaking collective to maintain faith in our artistic visions. We should continually strive for growth, pushing the boundaries as storytellers, even if our narratives spark controversy. After all, these thought-provoking tales serve as catalysts for essential dialogues within our society.

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Saldaña plans to champion “Emilia Pérez” during the remaining award ceremonies, managing the intricate feelings tied to the movie’s path. Despite any obstacles, she stays committed to her craft, her community, and advocating for varied narratives.

Apart from her acting role, the actress shared thoughts on the solidarity she’s received from the Hollywood community. As EbMaster mentioned, several Academy members have publicly sympathized with Saldaña, who seems to be facing the heat of the controversy alone as communication between Netflix and Gascón’s public relations team appears to have halted.

She remembers feeling joy from our teamwork, but also realizes that each of us is independent and accountable for our own words and actions.”

Or

“She recalls experiencing joy from our team effort, yet acknowledges that we are all individually responsible for everything we say and do.

Additionally, she recognized both the challenges inherent in the circumstances and the potential for individual development that may arise from such situations.

She stated, ‘While it might seem like something I and my team concocted together, ultimately, I can only express my own experiences and observations.’ She added, ‘For now, this should suffice as I’m still reflecting on the situation.’ She continued, ‘I view this experience as an opportunity to learn, just as every event in life is a learning opportunity for us all. The purpose of challenging situations is to foster growth and progress. So let’s strive to keep advancing in the right way.’

According to Saldaña, the individual Gascón presented on social media was not the same one she encountered on set. Yet, she also stated, “I can’t vouch for what individuals might do privately, using their own personal accounts.

The full episode will be released on Thursday.

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2025-02-06 04:17