Zoe Saldana speaks on backlash surrounding Emilia Perez co-star Karla Sofia Gascon, says "I don’t have any tolerance for any negative..."

Zoe Sandana backs up Karla Sofia

Zoe Saldana has spoken up about the criticism directed at her Emilia Perez co-star, Karla Sofia Gascon, after old controversial social media posts resurfaced.

During a Q&A session in London, Saldana expressed her disappointment over the situation, highlighting the significance of fostering inclusivity and understanding. She stressed the need for people to grow, learn from their past mistakes, and support one another in creating a more inclusive environment.

Saldana also conveyed her belief in the power of empathy and urged everyone to be more compassionate in their judgments.

She said, "I’m still processing everything that has transpired in the last couple of days, and I’m sad. It makes me really sad because I don’t support it, and I don’t have any tolerance for any negative rhetoric towards people of any group,"

The actress reflected on her time working with the Emilia Perez cast, emphasizing the film's core message of diversity and equality, saying, "I can only attest to the experience that I had with each and every individual that was a part, that is a part, of this film, and my experience and my interactions with them was about inclusivity and collaboration and racial, cultural, and gender equity,"

Karla Sofia Gascon, who made history as the first openly trans actor to earn an Oscar nomination, came under heavy scrutiny after journalist Sarah Hagi brought attention to several of her tweets from 2020 and 2021. The posts included controversial comments about Islam, George Floyd, and diversity at the Oscars. As the backlash intensified, Gascon deactivated her X (formerly Twitter) account, explaining that she could no longer let "this campaign of hate and misinformation" impact her or her family.

Despite the controversy, Saldana expressed appreciation for the ongoing support for Emilia Perez, highlighting the significance of the film. She shared, "Everyone who came together to tell this story did so with love, respect, and curiosity, and we will keep spreading that message," she concluded.