Zoe Saldaña Dedicates Her BAFTA Win for ‘Emilia Pérez’ to Trans Nephew: ‘He Is Why I Took the Role’

Zoe Saldaña won the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film Emilia Pérez. During the ceremony, she didn't get the chance to mention her dedication, but later, in the winners’ room, she told reporters that there was something important she wanted to say. She shared that she was dedicating the award and the film to her nephew Eli, who is transgender.

Saldaña explained, "He is the reason — they are the reason — I signed up to do this film in the first place." She added, “As the proud aunt of a trans life, I will always stand with my community of trans people."

In Emilia Pérez, a Spanish-language crime musical, Saldaña plays Rita Mora Castro, a lawyer who helps a Mexican cartel leader gain access to gender-affirming surgery. This was Saldaña’s first BAFTA win and her first nomination from the British Academy. She is also nominated for an Oscar in the same category.

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The film Emilia Pérez received 11 nominations at the BAFTA Awards, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Leading Actress (Karla Sofía Gascón), and Best Supporting Actress (Selena Gomez). Although Gascón did not attend the ceremony after old racist tweets resurfaced, Saldaña still took the opportunity to thank her in her acceptance speech. She said, "I want to thank my wonderful cast, Karla, Selena, Adriana… Films are supposed to change hearts and challenge minds. And I hope that Emilia Pérez did something like this, because voices need to be heard."

Saldaña won in a highly competitive category, where her co-star Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande (for Wicked), Felicity Jones (for The Brutalist), Jamie Lee Curtis (for The Last Showgirl), and Isabella Rossellini (for Conclave) were also nominated.

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