Zoe Saldana says it’s ‘frustrating’ when women and actors of color face political questions

LOCARNO, SWITZERLAND: 'Lioness' star Zoe Saldana is gradually growing frustrated over political questions. Her statement specifically highlighted why such questions are often directed at actors of color and women. “That's incredibly limiting,” she said.

The Oscar winner made the comments during a conversation at the 79th Locarno Film Festival. She participated in Q&As and talked about the craft she has honed over the years. The issue she pointed out is a rarely discussed concern among actresses.

Zoe Saldana says it’s 'frustrating' when women & actors of color face political questions

At the film festival in Switzerland, the Oscar winner from 'Avatar' and 'Guardians of the Galaxy' called the whole process of throwing political questions at actors “frustrating.” 

She shared that the room should have gatekeepers to field such questions rather than actors or women giving statements. Without giving any specific example of any press event, she shared her statement.

“One thing that’s incredibly limiting, and frustrating, is when I’m the only person of color or the only woman on stage, and that happens quite a lot for women and for people of color. And I wait for my turn to be asked a question about my craft, and I’m asked the political question,” Saldana said.

“I’m sorry, you don’t ask the only person that comes from the marginalized community,” Saldana noted. “You ask the other 80 of them that are part of the gatekeepers, and you ask them if they know the answer because I think that we’re making people of color work double to be in a room.”

Zoe Saldana faced questions during 'Emilia Perez' interview

Back in 2025, when Saldana, who won Best Supporting Actress for 'Emilia Perez', was informed by a Journalist that her movie had been “really hurtful for us Mexicans.”

As per Variety, the actress responded, "First of all, I’m very, very sorry that many Mexicans felt offended. That was never our intention. We spoke from a place of love. I don’t share your opinion. 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."

“These women could have been Russian, could have been Dominican, could have been Black from Detroit. 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,” she added.

She 'stands' with them and is always open to 'sit down' with her Mexican brothers and sisters with all the respect.