Zoe Saldaña Makes Oscars History — Not “Emilia Pérez”

I've been a fan of Zoe Saldaña for as long as I can remember. From her first ever movie role in the 2000 film “Center Stage” to starring in big blockbuster franchises like “Star Trek,” “Avatar,” “Guardians of the Galaxy,” and “Avengers,” Saldaña has been nothing short of an inspiration to Latinas like me. As an Afro-Latina actress of both Dominican and Puerto Rican descent, she is one of the few actresses to look like her and make it that far up the Hollywood ladder. So, of course, I teared up in the middle of her accepting speech for winning her first Oscar for best supporting actress for her role in “Emilia Pérez.” As I proudly watched Saldaña, who made history as the first Dominican American actress to win an Oscar, cry out for her mother in the audience, thank her grandmother, and shout out her Dominican heritage, I realized how this achievement was a win not just for her but for her fans like me who have watched her break barriers in Hollywood. And yet, my excitement has been met with frustration over the poor Latine representation found in “Emilia Pérez.”

I remember growing up and watching Saldaña in early roles and feeling proud to see an Afro-Latina from Queens, like me, gracing the screen. Whether it was “Center Stage,” “Crossroads,” “Drumline,” “Guess Who,” or bigger films like 2009's “Star Trek,” Saldaña always brought depth to whatever character she played. Every time I watched her in a film, it made me feel seen — another Dominicana, morenita, y flaquita como yo.

Here's the thing: my issue isn't with Saldaña or even her taking on the role in “Emilia Pérez.” I actually think she did a terrific job and is absolutely deserving of that Oscar. Over the years, Saldaña has proven her versatility — she's been an action hero in “Guardians of the Galaxy” and a Na'vi warrior in “Avatar,” and through all these performances, she carried the hopes for broader representation on her shoulders.

Saldaña is no nepo baby. She's a kid from Queens who had to move to the Dominican Republic with her mom and her sisters when she was only 9 after her dad passed away in a car accident. It was ballet and dance that helped her find her footing in this world and eventually led her to theater and acting. But from day one, she had to create her own path to success. And incredibly, she carved out a space for herself in science fiction and superhero films — genres that historically have sidelined women of color. Saldaña has literally become a household name by not playing maids, cartel women, the “sexy Latina,” or other tired stereotypes.

You can argue that, in many ways, Saldaña has expanded what it means to be a Latina actress in Hollywood, which is why this Oscar recognition feels especially significant. It's a long-awaited validation of her talent. However, the film associated with that recognition reveals just how problematic Hollywood's idea of representation can be. It took a film that represents Latine communities in all the worst ways for Saldaña to finally get recognized for her talents despite landing so many previous roles in major pictures.

For those who aren't familiar, “Emilia Pérez” is supposed to be an “avant garde” musical about a Mexican drug cartel leader named Manitas (played by Karla Sofía Gascón) who fakes his death to undergo gender-affirming surgery to become a woman. Saldaña plays Rita, the lawyer who works to help him pull it all off.

After years of writing and advocating for better representation of Latines in film, TV, and media, “Emilia Pérez” feels like a big slap in the face. It literally falls into every stereotype. The film, directed by Jacques Audiard, a French white man, perpetuates the harmful stereotypical depictions of the Latine community we've been fighting against for years. It stereotypes Latines — in this case, Mexicans. It harmfully portrays the transgender community. And once again, it centers Mexico's drug war. I mean, how many more drug trafficking films do we need before Latines finally get to graduate from having to play these kinds of roles? And as if this wasn't problematic enough, then we learn that Gáscon has a bunch of old racist and Islamophobic tweets that recently resurfaced on the internet.

My mixed feelings about Saldaña's Oscar win highlights a bigger issue in Hollywood: actors of color are only seriously recognized by the establishment when they take on roles that play into long-standing stereotypes or racialized trauma. Saldaña's performances from major blockbuster sci-fi franchises have never landed her a nomination, but playing a supporting role in a cartel drama where she mostly speaks in Spanish did. Once again, this isn't a knock on her performance by any means — I'm genuinely happy for her. It's a knock on the industry's narrow view of what kinds of stories (and which aspects of an actor's identity) are deemed “award-worthy.”

As a longtime fan, I am relieved that Saldaña's Oscar win wasn't tainted by a film that doesn't represent the community well at all. I think as controversial as the film is, we can all recognize that the weight and the controversy surrounding the film — including Gáscon's problematic tweets — are a weight she shouldn't have to carry. At the end of the day, it's the Hollywood gatekeepers who are essentially responsible for the narratives that we continue to see. They are the ones who continue to greenlight and celebrate the same narco dramas and the same stereotypical roles instead of actually investing in original stories that celebrate Latine culture. So, while I absolutely plan on celebrating Saldaña tonight, with a delicious mocktail and a yummy meal, I also reserve the right to be disappointed that it not only took this long but also that it had to happen because of “Emilia Pérez.”

Johanna Ferreira is the content director for PS Juntos. With more than 10 years of experience, Johanna focuses on how intersectional identities are a central part of Latine culture. Previously, she spent close to three years as the deputy editor at HipLatina, and she has freelanced for numerous outlets including Refinery29, Oprah magazine, Allure, InStyle, and Well+Good. She has also moderated and spoken on numerous panels on Latine identity.