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Zoe Saldaña not only made an unusual film with “Emilia Pérez”, but also wrote history. For her role as a lawyer Rita, who helps a Mexican cartel boss with a sexual operation, she was awarded the Oscars as the best supporting actress – and then ensured a remarkable personal statement.
In an interview with the “People” magazine, the actress explained: “My Oscar is gender fluid.”
The trophy, which according to Saldaña is in her office, use “They/Them” pronoun-that is, gender-neutral speech. A symbolic gesture with which she alludes to the queer and trans -friendly message of the film. The main role in “Emilia Pérez” plays Karla Sofía Gascón – as the first openly trans actress in general, she was nominated for an Oscar. The actress had taken care of a shit storm shortly before the Oscars after, among other things, racist statements from her appeared on platform X.
So Zoe Saldaña dedicated the Oscar to her grandmother’s Oscar
Saldaña also mentioned her family roots in her acceptance speech. Her grandmother immigrated to the USA in 1961, she said. “I am the first American origin to get an Oscar – but I know I won’t be the last.” She was particularly proud that she was able to sing and speak in the role of Spanish: “If my grandmother still lived, she would be overjoyed. This price is for her.”
Jamie Lee Curtis as a predecessor
Saldaña thus follows the example of Jamie Lee Curtis, who explained in 2023, to address her Oscar as a sign of solidarity with her trans daughter Ruby with “They/Them”.
With “Emilia Pérez” Saldaña and director Jacques Audiard not only set a sign of cinematic – but also politically.