Zoe Saldaña is a force of nature on screen, having starred in some of the most iconic sci-fi epics of the modern era, including Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Star Trek. But with her performance in the groundbreaking musical Emilia Pérez, she’s finally revealing a more personal, human side of her talents.
Currently, as she makes her way through the whirlwind of awards season, Saldaña is reflecting on her 25-year career in Hollywood and the new role that’s reshaping her public image. She’s at the center of a massive promotional campaign for Emilia Pérez, her first film performance truly vying for major film awards. While driving through Southern California to prepare for another red carpet event, Saldaña shared her thoughts on the current stage of her career and the movie that’s bringing her unparalleled recognition.
Saldaña’s portrayal of Rita, a Mexican-American attorney caught up in the complex life of a drug lord transitioning into womanhood, is a powerful departure from her previous action-packed roles. Emilia Pérez blends genres in unexpected ways, combining elements of thriller, musical, and art house drama, with Saldaña’s nuanced performance anchoring it all. She brings a visceral intensity to the role, navigating three languages (Spanish, English, and French) and using her extensive dance background to convey deep emotion through her body. In one standout scene, Rita, overcome by the hypocrisy of the world around her, breaks into an impassioned dance at a gala, a moment that perfectly encapsulates the character’s inner turmoil and struggle.
Saldaña’s stellar performance in Emilia Pérez earned her a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress, marking a significant milestone in her career. “It was about reconnecting with parts of me where I felt that kind of desperation,” Saldaña says, speaking about the raw emotion she tapped into for the role. This moment is a key part of her artistic evolution, showing a depth of vulnerability that fans rarely see.
Throughout her career, Saldaña has defied the typical Hollywood path for women in the industry. While many stars of her era have capitalized on personal branding and social media exposure, Saldaña has kept her life largely private, focusing instead on the work itself. “When we’re all working, that’s when magic should happen,” she says, expressing her belief that the true essence of art comes from collaboration, not the pressure to build a public image.
Her selective approach to projects has paid off, allowing her to work with visionary directors like Steven Spielberg, James Cameron, and Taylor Sheridan. Saldaña works best in environments where the creative vision is clear and forward-thinking, stating, “You surround yourself with individuals who start believing in it with you, even though you guys don’t know how you’re going to get there, but you’re going to try.”
James Cameron, who directed her in Avatar, recalls her intense commitment to the material, saying, “Of all my actors, Zoe was the one who put her hand up the most [to ask questions].” Cameron admires her drive to ensure that every performance is rooted in truth and emotional depth, and adds, “She wanted to know that there was an intention to make it about the people, 100 percent of what was happening in their hearts at the moment.”
As Saldaña continues to rise in her career, Emilia Pérez represents a significant turning point, one where the actress shows the world a new facet of her talent, grounded in authenticity, emotional depth, and dedication to storytelling.
