Emilia Pérez star Zoe Saldana has informed an viewers in London that she was “saddened” after bigoted social media posts by co-star Karla Sofía Gascón resurfaced this week.
“I’m nonetheless processing all the things that has transpired within the final couple of days,” Saldana, who’s nominated for the Oscar within the supporting actress class, informed a post-screening Q&A. “I’m unhappy. It makes me actually unhappy as a result of I don’t assist and I don’t have any tolerance for any unfavourable rhetoric in the direction of individuals of any group.”
Gascón, who turned the primary transgender actress to obtain a lead actress Oscar nod, was compelled to situation an apology on Thursday after retailers revealed outdated tweets by which she disparaged Muslims and made incendiary remarks concerning the late George Floyd.
Saldana continued, “I can solely attest to the expertise I had with every person who is part of this movie. My expertise and interactions with them have been extremely about inclusivity and collaboration and racial, cultural and gender fairness.
“It simply saddens me,” she added. “It saddens me that we’re having to face this setback proper now. However I’m completely satisfied that you just’re all right here and that you just’re all nonetheless displaying up for Emilia, as a result of the message that this movie has is so highly effective, and the change it could actually deliver ahead to communities which are marginalised day in and time out is vital.
Saldana concluded, “All that I can attest is that every one of us who got here collectively to inform this story, we got here collectively for love and for respect and curiosity and we’ll proceed to unfold that message.”
Heading into the weekend, awards prognosticators have been debating the complete affect of Gascón’s remarks not solely on her personal awards season prospects, however on these of the movie itself, which is within the operating for 13 Academy Awards.