Zoe Saldaña wishes her children had no idea she was an actress. The sentiment reflects a common struggle among celebrity parents who want to shield their children from the pressures of fame while maintaining their careers.
The 46-year-old star and her filmmaker husband Marco Perego Saldaña — who have three sons, twins Cy and Bowie, 10, and Zen, 8 — try not to separate their lives in case it affects their kids’ upbringing, but it comes with them getting to know her showbiz lifestyle. Celebrity children often face unique challenges growing up in the public eye, dealing with constant scrutiny and expectations.
“I wish I had kids that didn’t really know what I do or understand what I do, but my kids have grown up with me on-set,” she told the new issue of PEOPLE magazine. On-set education has become increasingly common for celebrity children, with specialized tutors ensuring they don’t fall behind academically while accompanying their parents to work.
“My husband and I really made that decision to not separate our lives,” she continued. This approach reflects modern parenting philosophies that emphasize family unity and shared experiences over compartmentalized living.
‘My work is their backyard’
“I feel like my work is kind of like their backyard, so they do understand it, and then they don’t,” she explained. Children often view their parents’ careers through their own lens of understanding, making sense of complex adult situations in simplified terms.
“They care about it, and then they don’t,” she added. This typical childhood indifference to parental achievements is actually considered healthy by child psychologists, showing that the children maintain their own sense of identity separate from their mother’s fame.
“They think in soccer language. So it’s very much like, ‘It’s kind of like the World Cup, Mom. It’s like the World Cup of acting,'” she shared. Sports analogies help children understand complex concepts, with soccer being particularly relatable given its global popularity and competitive nature.
“It did give me a little bit of cred, but then they’re rolling their eyes again,” she laughed. The eye-rolling behavior is typical of pre-teens who are beginning to assert their independence while still seeking parental approval.
Saldaña admitted she wanted to be “more present” in her children’s lives after her historic Oscar win. Balancing career achievements with family responsibilities requires careful planning and prioritization, especially in demanding industries like entertainment.
In March, the Hollywood star became the first performer of Dominican descent to win the Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for her role as attorney Rita in the musical-comedy film, Emilia Perez. This groundbreaking achievement opened doors for Latino representation in Hollywood while inspiring future generations of performers.
‘A little more present in their lives’
“The moment everything was over, I just really wanted to go back home and take my kids to school and be a little more present in their lives because they took this leap of faith with me,” she explained. Many successful actors experience similar desires to return to normalcy after major career milestones, recognizing the sacrifices their families make.
“My whole family did, and I wanted to kind of catch up on this time,” she continued. Family support systems are essential for maintaining stability in high-pressure careers, requiring ongoing communication and understanding from all family members.
As Saldaña is free this summer, she is going to enjoy the time with her children before she goes back to work in the fall. Summer breaks provide crucial bonding opportunities for busy families, allowing for uninterrupted quality time together.
A rare free summer for Saldaña
“It’s the first time I’m going to have a summer since I can remember where I’m free,” the Elio star said. The entertainment industry’s demanding schedules often conflict with traditional family time, making free periods particularly precious for working parents.
“The boys have sort of decided they just want to go to camp and be normal kids, and they want us to be normal parents. We thought we were always normal parents!” she revealed. Summer camps offer celebrity children opportunities to interact with peers outside the entertainment industry, fostering normal childhood experiences.
What normalcy will look like
“So we’re going to be doing that a lot. I have to go back to work in the fall, so I’m going to enjoy this downtime,” she concluded. Strategic career planning around family schedules has become essential for celebrity parents who want to maintain strong relationships with their children.
The actress’s approach to parenting demonstrates the ongoing challenge of raising grounded children while maintaining a successful Hollywood career. Her commitment to family-first values, despite her professional achievements, shows how celebrity parents can prioritize their children’s well-being while continuing to pursue their passions in the entertainment industry.
