Zoe Saldaña Celebrates First Golden Globe Nomination
Zoe Saldaña is basking in the glow of her first-ever Golden Globe nomination. Speaking to PEOPLE on Dec. 9, the actress, 46, expressed her joy and gratitude for being recognized for her role as Rita in the musical thriller Emilia Pérez. “It feels really overwhelmingly beautiful,” she shared.
“I didn’t know how much I wanted it because I stopped thinking that it would ever happen for someone like me. I’m really having an out of body experience and my heart is full of gratitude. It feels good to be recognized for the hard work that you put into something that you believe so much in,” she added.
The Golden Globes announcement came with major accolades for Emilia Pérez, which earned a whopping 10 nominations, including best motion picture, director, screenplay, original score, and original song. Zoe’s nomination for best supporting actress in a musical or comedy places her alongside her co-star Selena Gomez, who also received recognition for her role in the film.
Zoe, currently in Paris, said the news prompted her to immediately reach out to her loved ones. “I woke up my mom. My husband was awake. He was definitely awake, so I connected with him first and foremost,” she stated.
Her husband of over a decade, Marco Perego, and their three sons — 10-year-old twins Cy and Bowie, and 7-year-old Zen — were among the first to celebrate with her.
The actress also left heartfelt messages for her Emilia Pérez co-stars, Selena Gomez and Karla Sofía Gascón, who were also nominated. “I’m just so proud of us. I’m so proud of them. They deserve all the accolades. They’re so incredibly amazing in this movie and such amazing people,” she stated.
Reflecting on her journey, Zoe shared how meaningful it is to represent women like her on such a big stage. In her words: “I just know that this is something really special. That a girl who looks like me from Queens, New York can also win and is meant to reach just higher peaks of mountains. Anybody can do it, anybody.”
Zoe’s role in Emilia Pérez has been praised for its complexity and emotional depth. She plays Rita, a high-powered lawyer who helps a Mexican cartel leader, portrayed by Karla Sofía Gascón, fake their death and transition into a woman. The film, now streaming on Netflix, blends suspense with a heartfelt exploration of identity and transformation.
Zoe recalled the tight bond she formed with her castmates during the film’s production. “To this day, there’s so much love, there’s so much respect. We’re rooting for each other. We’re happy for each other. We’re fixing each other’s makeup and wardrobes,” she stated.
“You know, every time on the red carpet, we were so excited to be a part of this project to be working with [director] Jacques Audiard that we were kind of childlike when we were shooting Emilia,” she added.
