Zoe Saldana believes the universe “talks directly” to her.
The 46-year-old actress — who has 10-year-old twins Cy and Bowie and 7-year-old Zen with husband Marco Perego — credits “the power of manifestation” for her role in Emilia Pérez and believes she’s always been given the projects she needs at the right time. Her journey in balancing family life with a successful acting career has become an inspiration for many in the industry.
“It was through my agents,” Zoe said when asked how Emilia Pérez had came to her during her conversation with Kate Winslet for Variety’s “Actors on Actors” series.
“But I have to say that it’s through the power of manifestation. I’ve always been a little bit cynical about the relationship that we have with the universe, and yet the universe has always been talking to me directly whenever I’ve sought direct advice and guidance.” This spiritual approach to career choices has been a consistent theme throughout her journey in Hollywood.
“And these films, Avatar, Star Trek, Guardians of the Galaxy, they gave me so much. But as they became super successful and became machines and worldwide phenomenons, all that was happening while I was also getting married and starting my family. So there was very little time for me to … start stretching my muscles again and challenge myself.” These franchises have collectively made her one of the most successful actresses in box office history.
Saldana was thrilled when she was then called about the potential of playing lawyer Rita in the musical, but questioned her suitability. The role represents a significant departure from her science fiction repertoire, which has defined much of her career success.
“You find yourself just full of frustration, and you don’t know where to put it. I had a conversation with my agents, and we wrote down a list of great directors — a very small list,” she revealed. “They called me up and they said, ‘Jacques Audiard is casting for his next movie, and it’s going to be in Spanish, and it’s an opera and it takes place in Mexico, and we really do believe there’s a part that is just perfect for you.'”
“Your self-sabotage comes up. Immediately, it’s like, ‘Oh, wait, wait, wait. You’re not Mexican. Oh, wait, wait, wait. You can’t sing, you can’t dance, you can’t do this,'” she continued, highlighting the common struggle with imposter syndrome that many actors face, even at the height of their careers.
“And I was like, ‘Well, but I want to meet him. I just want to have a conversation with him.’ And we had a Zoom, and it was such a great connection that I had with Jacques.” Audiard, known for his compelling character-driven narratives, has won numerous awards including the Palme d’Or at Cannes Film Festival.
Winslet agreed: “He’s a brilliant director. My God. The deeper you dig and the more layers of the onion that you peel away. And to turn that into opera, it was extraordinary to me.” Winslet’s praise adds to the growing anticipation for the unique project, which blends traditional operatic elements with contemporary storytelling.
The collaboration between Saldana and Audiard represents a bold new direction for both artist and director, with early industry buzz suggesting this could be one of the most innovative musical films of the year. The project also marks Saldana’s first leading role in a Spanish-language production, showcasing her versatility as an performer and her willingness to push beyond her comfort zone.
With Emilia Pérez, Saldana continues to expand her already impressive repertoire, demonstrating that even established actors can find new ways to challenge themselves and grow artistically. The film is expected to premiere at major international film festivals before its wider release, generating significant interest from both critics and audiences alike.
