Zoe Saldaña's Emotional BAFTA Win for 'Emilia Pérez' Highlights Trans Representation
Zoe Saldaña delivered an emotional and expletive-laden acceptance speech at the 2025 BAFTA Awards after winning Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Netflix musical Emilia Pérez. The film, directed by Jacques Audiard, follows a Mexican drug lord who undergoes a sex change operation, with Saldaña playing a lawyer who assists in the transformation. The Spanish-language film has been divisive among critics but has garnered significant acclaim during awards season.
During her speech, Saldaña, 46, expressed her gratitude and shared a heartfelt dedication to her trans nephew, Eli, stating that he was the reason she took on the role. “As the proud aunt of a trans life, I will always stand with my community of trans people,” she said. She also thanked her husband, Marco Perego, calling him “God’s favourite” and praising his beauty, while acknowledging her children for encouraging her not to cry.
However, her speech took a humorous turn when a countdown timer appeared, prompting her to exclaim, “F***, f***, f***!” before being cut off. The BBC, which has a strict no-swearing policy, later clarified that edits were made due to time constraints, though the full speech was shared on the BAFTA YouTube channel.
Emilia Pérez also won the award for Best Film Not in the English Language, with director Audiard paying tribute to the cast, including Saldaña and Selena Gomez, who played the wife of the drug lord. The film, which blends music, dance, and bold visuals, has been a standout in this year’s awards season, despite controversy surrounding its lead actress, Karla Sofía Gascón, who did not attend the ceremony following backlash over past social media posts.
Saldaña’s win marks a significant milestone in her career, as she continues to advocate for representation and inclusivity in the film industry.
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