Zoe Saldana apologizes for 'Emilia Perez', says she's open to talks on how it 'could've been done better'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Oscar winner Zoe Saldana apologized to Mexicans who were offended by the controversial musical 'Emilia Perez.'

The actress, who won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Netflix film, addressed the concerns in the press room.

Zoe Saldana says 'sorry' to Mexicans who felt offended by 'Emilia Perez'

A journalist told Zoe Saldana that 'Emilia Perez' had been hurtful to many Mexicans.

The movie, which follows a cartel boss seeking to transition to a woman, has been criticized for portraying Mexican culture in an inauthentic and stereotypical manner.

The film was largely created by a European crew, including French writer-director Jacques Audiard.

“I’m very, very sorry that you and so many Mexicans felt offended,” Saldana responded to the reporter.

"That was never our intention. We spoke from a place of love,” said Saldana.

Saldana, the first American actor of Dominican origin to win an Oscar, also stated that she did not agree with all the criticisms aimed at the movie.

"I don’t share your opinion," Saldana said, according to People. “For me, the heart of this movie was not Mexico. We were making a film about friendship. We were making a film about four women,” she added.

Zoe Saldana says women in Emilia Perez are 'very universal'

Zoe Saldana elaborated on the universal theme of the movie, saying that the story was about women from different backgrounds facing struggles.

“These women could have been Russian, could have been Dominican, could have been Black from Detroit, could have been from Israel, could have been from Gaza,” Saldana said.

She continued, “And these women are still very universal women that are struggling every day, but trying to survive systemic oppression and trying to find the most authentic voices.”

Zoe Saldana is open to sit down with Mexicans to talk about 'Emilia Perez'

Zoe Saldana expressed her willingness to engage in conversations on how the film could have been improved.

“So I will stand by that, but I’m also always open to sit down with all of my Mexican brothers and sisters, with love and respect, [to have] a great conversation on how Emilia could have been done better,” Saldana said.

The film led the night with 13 nominations but won only two, including Saldana's award and one for original song.

The film has faced multiple controversies, including backlash from the LGBTQ+ community and scrutiny over lead actress Karla Sofia Gascon’s past inflammatory tweets.

'Emilia Perez' is a Spanish-language musical crime drama in which Saldana plays Rita, a lawyer helping the Gascon undergo gender-affirming surgery to escape life as a cartel boss.