The 46-year-old actress proudly accepted the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress for her outstanding performance in a film that has recently dominated discussions due to the media attention surrounding Karla Sofía Gascón, a fellow cast member. This award not only recognizes Saldana’s talent but also shines a light on the critical issues explored in Emilia Pérez.

Following her well-deserved win, Saldana made a point to express gratitude for “one very last thing that I did not get to say on stage” ? her pride in her trans nephew. “I am dedicating all of these awards and the movie Emilia Pérez to my nephew, Eli,” Saldana revealed to reporters backstage in London, underscoring her commitment to supporting the trans community.

“He?s the reason ? they?re the reason ? I signed up to do that movie in the first place,” she emphasized, adding, “As the proud aunt of a trans life, I will always stand with my community of trans people.” Saldana’s heartfelt remarks highlight the personal motivations that drive her work and her advocacy for trans rights.

In her role, Salda?a portrays Rita Mora Castro, a dedicated lawyer who assists a Mexican cartel chief in securing access to essential gender-affirming surgeries. This character’s journey highlights significant issues surrounding access to healthcare and the legal battles faced by trans individuals, adding depth to the narrative of Emilia Pérez.

Emilia Pérez has garnered an impressive total of 11 nominations this awards season, including prestigious categories such as Best Film, Best Director, and Best Actress for Karla Sofía Gascón, showcasing its wide recognition within the film industry and its powerful storytelling.

Despite her co-star Gascón being embroiled in global headlines due to past controversial tweets, Saldana did not hesitate to express her gratitude for her in her acceptance speech. This act of solidarity speaks volumes about the importance of supporting one another in the industry, especially during challenging times.

“I want to thank my incredible cast, Karla, Selena, Adriana? Films are meant to change hearts and challenge minds. And I hope that Emilia Pérez did something like this, please, because voices should be heard,” she asserted passionately, emphasizing the transformative power of cinema.

While she did not specifically mention him, since President Donald Trump?s inauguration last month, he has enacted a series of executive actions that threaten the rights of transgender and nonbinary individuals. One such order aimed to eliminate the concept of “gender identity” as distinct from sex within the federal government, reflecting the ongoing challenges faced by the community.

“I will take historic action to defeat the toxic poison of gender ideology and reaffirm that God created two genders, male and female,” he stated during a campaign speech in October, further fueling concerns over the rights and recognition of transgender individuals.

After facing backlash for alleged previous posts that exhibited racism, Islamophobia, and antisemitism, Best Actress Oscar nominee Gascón issued an apology and claimed that some of these posts ? including one that supposedly targeted Gomez specifically ? were completely fabricated during a recent interview.

The now-deleted tweets, first unearthed by journalist Sarah Hagi, were primarily posted between 2020 and 2021. One notable example from November 22, 2020, read: “I?m sorry, is it just my impression or are there more Muslims in Spain? Every time I go to pick up my daughter from school, there are more girls with their hair covered and their skirts down to their heels. Next year instead of English, we?ll have to teach Arabic.” This statement reflects the growing tensions surrounding cultural integration and diversity.

Additionally, in one of Gascón?s unverified tweets from 2022, she allegedly referred to Gomez as a “wealthy rat.” This accusation further complicates the narrative surrounding her character and the impact of social media on public perception.

In a conversation with CNN en Espa?ol regarding this specific post, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Gascón stressed, “Of course that is not mine. I?ve never said anything about my partner. I would never refer to her that way.” This statement aims to clarify her position amidst the swirling controversy.

She subsequently suggested that the timing of this controversy might be intended to distract from her performance as she aims to become the first transgender individual to win an acting Oscar. “I start thinking about where this comes from,” she stated, hinting at potential motives behind the resurfacing of these allegations just before the awards.

Since that interview, Gascón has opted for silence for the remainder of the awards season, aiming to prevent further negative repercussions for the film and focusing on her performance instead.