Zoe Saldaña has spoken out about what she sees as an imbalanced pattern in press interviews, saying political questions are disproportionately directed at women and people of colour rather than being asked of the wider, more diverse group on stage. Speaking at the Locarno Film Festival, the Oscar winner said she often does Q&As hoping to discuss her craft, but repeatedly finds herself fielding political questions instead, which she called "incredibly limiting" and unfair on marginalised performers.

Saldaña gave the example of being asked how to make films more inclusive simply because she was the only person of colour or woman present, arguing journalists should instead put such questions to the "gatekeepers" in the room. She did not cite specific instances, though the article notes she was famously asked about "Emilia Pérez" offending Mexican audiences moments after winning her best supporting actress Oscar in 2025, a moment she addressed at the time by expressing regret while defending the film's intentions. Saldaña currently appears in the third season of "Lioness" on Paramount+ and received a Special Honour at this year's Locarno festival.