Hollywood’s sexism and racism get a fierce rebuke from Zoe Saldaña
Zoe Saldaña isn’t mincing words about how Hollywood treats women and actors of color — or why being singled out for political questions feels frustrating and limiting.
On stage at the Locarno Film Festival after accepting a Special Honorary Pardo, Zoe Saldaña didn’t stick to small talk. She described the familiar moment when she’s the only woman or person of color on a panel and the conversation swerves from acting to politics and representation—because the questions always come to her.
“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.”
She said she often shows up ready to discuss her craft, only to be asked how Hollywood should fix itself. As reported by Variety, Saldaña argued that the responsibility for those answers sits with the people who actually hold the levers of power.
Point the mic at the gatekeepers
Saldaña pushed back on the idea that performers from marginalized communities should be the default spokespeople for systemic problems while they’re still navigating those same barriers.
“I’m sorry, you do not ask the only person that comes from the marginalized community...You ask the other 80 of them that are part of the gatekeepers,” Saldaña said.
Pressed at the Oscars
Her comments echo a high-pressure exchange from awards season. After winning the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 2025 for Emilia Pérez, a journalist in the Academy’s press room told her the film had been hurtful to some Mexican viewers and asked her to respond. Saldaña apologized to anyone who felt offended but made clear she didn’t share the criticism, saying she viewed the movie as a story about friendship and four women confronting systemic oppression.
At Locarno, Saldaña was honored with the festival’s Special Honorary Pardo, presented by festival director Giona Nazzaro.