Zoe Saldaña received her first Golden Globe nomination for her supporting role in the musical thriller “Emilia Pérez” at the 2025 Golden Globe Awards. The 46-year-old actress graced the red carpet in a stunning dark brown strapless sequin Saint Laurent gown with a matching cape and a dazzling diamond necklace. The gown was custom-designed for Saldaña by Saint Laurent’s creative director, Anthony Vaccarello, who also produced the film.
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In “Emilia Pérez,” Saldaña portrays Rita Moro Castro, a lawyer hired by a cartel leader to facilitate a secret sex change operation. The film, featuring original songs, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May, earning a standing ovation and winning the Jury Prize and the best actress award for its ensemble cast. Saldaña’s nomination puts her in competition with Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, Felicity Jones, Margaret Qualley, and Isabella Rossellini.
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While promoting “Emilia Pérez” at Cannes, Saldaña emphasized the importance of showcasing Mexican culture. Having lived in Los Angeles for two decades, she expressed a deep connection to the culture and praised director Jacques Audiard for his celebratory and artistic portrayal of Mexico in the film. She also revealed in a later interview that a memorable hair-ripping scene in the film was her own idea.
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Overwhelmed with joy, Saldaña shared her excitement about the nomination with PEOPLE, describing it as an “out-of-body experience.” She expressed gratitude for the recognition and acknowledged the hard work invested in the project. Upon hearing the news, she immediately contacted her mother, Asalia Nazario, and her husband, Marco Perego, to share the momentous occasion. The 82nd annual Golden Globe Awards were broadcast live from The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles on CBS and Paramount+.
