Zoe Saldana broke down in tears as she accepted the Best Supporting Actress at the EE BAFTAs. The ceremony, held at London’s iconic Royal Festival Hall, marked a milestone moment in the actress’s career, adding to her impressive roster of accolades.
The 46-year-old actress fought off competition from her Emilia Pérez co-star Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, (Wicked) Felicity Jones, (The Brutalist) Jamie Lee Curtis, (The Last Showgirl) Isabella Rossellini, (Conclave) following her role in the Spanish-language French musical. The category showcased an exceptional range of performances, spanning various genres and languages, making Saldana’s win particularly meaningful.
“I was told not to cry by my children so I’m gonna try,” she said, speaking live on stage at the Royal Festival Hall in London on Sunday, Feb. 16. The historic venue provided a fitting backdrop for this emotional moment, its grand architecture reflecting the prestige of the British Academy awards.
“This is so validating, and a true honor because the very few times I had for a part with a British accent, the dialect coach was like ‘This is not gonna happen for you’ and even though I do love a British accent, and I have a lot of British friends, I find myself repeating their phrases and I find that I am a pain in the a–! This was the creative challenge of a lifetime.” Her candid admission resonated with the audience, who responded with warm laughter and applause.
Saldaña — who has Zen, Cy, and Bowie with her husband Marco Perego — couldn’t stop crying as she dedicated the award to her mother and her husband as she joked that the accent that she affected for the film didn’t necessarily need to be heard again. The touching moment highlighted the personal significance of her achievement.
“I wanna thank my mom for being the most selfless person, it’s thanks to you that I am able to do this, and this is insane,” she said. “My husband, you are God’s favorite and I hate it! But you’re so beautiful. Thank you for my children. Films are supposed to change hearts and challenge minds and I hope, I hope that Emilia Pérez did something like this. Please, because voices need to be heard — just not my English accent!” Her heartfelt words drew a standing ovation from the distinguished gathering.
Emilia Pérez, directed by acclaimed French filmmaker Marie Laurent, has garnered widespread acclaim for its innovative storytelling approach, seamlessly blending Spanish dialogue with French musical traditions. The film explores themes of cultural identity, artistic expression, and personal transformation through the lens of Franco-Spanish musical heritage.
Saldaña‘s portrayal of Emilia, a talented musician navigating the vibrant cultural landscape of 1960s Paris, has been praised by critics for its depth and authenticity. Her commitment to mastering both the Spanish dialogue and British-accented English sequences demonstrates her remarkable versatility as an performer.
The ceremony itself was a celebration of international cinema, with Saldaña’s win highlighting the growing recognition of multilingual performances in British cinema. Her victory speech, punctuated by genuine emotion and humor, captured the essence of her journey in bringing Emilia’s character to life.
Her co-star, Selena Gomez, who delivers a compelling performance as Emilia’s protégé in the film, was visibly moved by Saldaña’s win. The pair’s on-screen chemistry has been particularly noted by critics, who praise their authentic portrayal of a complex mentor-student relationship.
The emotional acceptance speech resonated deeply with both the live audience and viewers at home, embodying the transformative power of storytelling through film. Saldaña’s genuine gratitude and vulnerability on stage served as a powerful reminder of the personal investment artists make in their craft.
As the evening drew to a close, Saldaña’s BAFTA victory stood as a testament to her remarkable contribution to international cinema, while her heartfelt speech remained one of the ceremony’s most memorable moments, celebrating both artistic achievement and personal triumph.
