Zoe Saldaña calls out Hollywood over political questions aimed at women and actors of colour

Saldaña says Q&As should focus on acting instead of asking women and actors of colour about representation

Zoe Saldaña has spoken openly about her frustration with the way political and representation questions are often directed towards women and actors of colour during film industry discussions. The Oscar winner made the comments during a conversation at the 2026 Locarno Film Festival, where she said she would rather have opportunities to discuss acting and the craft behind her work.

Saldaña explained that she regularly participates in Q&As because she wants to talk about the profession she has spent years developing. However, she said she has repeatedly found herself being asked political questions when she is the only woman or person of colour on a stage.

The actor described the situation as "incredibly limiting" and "frustrating", arguing that the burden of answering questions about inclusion can fall disproportionately on people from underrepresented groups.

Saldaña gave the example of being asked what the industry needs to do to make films more inclusive. She questioned why such questions are directed towards the only person from a marginalised community in a room instead of being put to industry figures who have greater influence over hiring, financing and decision making.

Her remarks come after years of high profile conversations surrounding representation in Hollywood. Saldaña has frequently worked within major film franchises and has also faced questions about cultural representation connected to individual projects.

One prominent example came after the 2025 Academy Awards, when Saldaña won the Oscar for best supporting actress for her performance in Emilia Pérez. During the Oscars press room, a Mexican journalist told her that the film had been hurtful to Mexicans and asked for her response.

Saldaña apologised to people who had been offended while making clear that she disagreed with the criticism. She said the filmmakers had approached the story from a place of love and viewed its central characters as women facing oppression and searching for their identities. She also said she remained open to conversations about how the film could have been made better.

That earlier exchange illustrates the type of discussion Saldaña was referring to at Locarno, although she did not identify a particular press tour when making her latest comments. Her point centred on the broader pattern she believes affects women and people of colour during public appearances.

Saldaña's career has placed her at the centre of some of Hollywood's biggest productions, including the Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy and Star Trek franchises. Her work in Emilia Pérez eventually earned her the Academy Award, adding one of the industry's highest honours to a career spanning film, television and blockbuster franchises.

At Locarno, Saldaña also received a Special Honorary Pardo from festival director Giona Nazzaro. She currently stars in the third season of Lioness, which streams on Paramount+.