Zoe Saldaña is “truly honored” to have earned her first Academy Award nomination. The recognition comes after her extensive contributions to cinema, including roles in numerous acclaimed films and blockbuster franchises.
The 46-year-old actor received a nod for best supporting actress on Thursday (23.01.25) for her role in the musical ‘Emilia Pérez’, marking a huge milestone in her 25-year career. This nomination makes her the first actress of Dominican descent to be nominated in this category.
Zoe, who has starred in some of the highest-grossing films of all time, shared her gratitude on Instagram after the Academy Awards nominations were announced by posing alongside her sisters Cisely and Mariel – captioning the image: “I am truly honoured and grateful for the nomination. Thank you so much for considering me for this award. I am thrilled to be among such talented company. The post garnered over 2 million likes within hours.
“‘Emilia Pérez‘ was made with love. Thank you to @theacademy and its members for recognizing our work.”
Referring to the drama’s director Jacques Audiard, who is also nominated this year, Zoe signed her message off with the line: “Jacques!!!!! BINGO!” Audiard’s nomination marks his third recognition from the Academy.
Zoe is nominated in her category alongside Monica Barbaro, for her role in ‘A Complete Unknown’, Ariana Grande (‘Wicked’), Felicity Jones (‘The Brutalist’) and Isabella Rossellini (‘Conclave’.) This year’s supporting actress category features one of the most diverse lineups in Oscar history.
Earlier this month, Zoe won her first Golden Globe Award and brought her mother Asalia Nazario as her guest. The emotional moment marked a significant milestone for the actress, who began her career in theater productions in New York City.
She is also nominated at the Critics’ Choice, BAFTA, and SAG Awards. Her multiple nominations this awards season represent the first time she has received such widespread recognition for her dramatic work.
In a feature for Harper’s Bazaar, filmmaker Jacques praised Zoe’s work ethic and talent. The interview highlighted her dedication to the challenging role, which required months of preparation and training.
“What really surprised me with Zoe is her energy and her tireless authority. She worked so hard with just extraordinary courage and talent,” he said. “Sometimes I simply couldn’t believe it. It was absolutely marvelous.” The director revealed that Saldaña spent six months learning traditional Mexican folk dancing for the role.
‘Emilia Pérez’, now streaming on Netflix, has garnered 13 Oscar nominations, making it the most-nominated film this year. The musical drama has already broken streaming records, with over 50 million households watching it in its first week.
The cast also includes Karla Sofía Gascón, Selena Gomez, Édgar Ramírez and Adriana Paz. The ensemble cast has received widespread praise for their performances, with the film currently holding a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The 97th Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, 2 March, airing live on ABC and Hulu. This year’s ceremony is expected to draw over 18 million viewers, continuing the upward trend in awards show viewership.
Throughout her career, Saldaña has been a trailblazer for diversity in Hollywood, appearing in major franchises like “Avatar,” “Guardians of the Galaxy,” and “Star Trek.” Her films have collectively grossed more than any other actress in box office history, making her both a commercial and now critical success.
The recognition for her role in ‘Emilia Pérez’ represents a significant shift in her career towards more dramatic roles, following years of success in action and science fiction films. Industry experts note that this nomination could mark the beginning of a new chapter in her already impressive career.
