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Zoe Saldaña recently made headlines with a playful and meaningful remark about her Academy Award trophy, revealing that the statue is “gender fluid” and goes by they/them pronouns. Speaking to PEOPLE on the red carpet for Disney and Pixar’s upcoming film Elio, Saldaña shared that the Oscar resides in her office and embraces a nonbinary identity. This light-hearted yet intentional comment reflects the ongoing cultural shift within Hollywood toward inclusivity and gender awareness, echoing Jamie Lee Curtis’s similar statement after her 2023 Oscar win, made in support of her transgender daughter.
Saldaña’s award comes after a year of widespread acclaim for her powerful performance in Emilia Pérez, where she portrayed Rita, a lawyer who aids a cartel boss in transitioning. Her nuanced, emotionally rich role in the Spanish-language musical directed by Jacques Audiard resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike. Saldaña’s portrayal earned her a string of honors, including wins at the Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice Awards, BAFTAs, and SAG Awards, culminating in her Best Supporting Actress Oscar. She also shared the Best Actress prize at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival alongside co-stars Karla Sofía Gascón, Selena Gomez, and Adriana Paz, a rare collective recognition that emphasized the ensemble’s impact.
During her Oscar acceptance speech, Saldaña expressed deep gratitude and pride in her cultural heritage. She honored her family’s journey, especially her grandmother who immigrated to the United States in 1961, and celebrated her status as the first American of Dominican descent to win an Academy Award. She also spoke passionately about how special it was to receive recognition for a role that allowed her to sing and perform in Spanish, dedicating the win to her grandmother and embracing her roots with emotion and pride.
Zoe Saldaña’s moment at the Oscars not only highlighted her artistic achievements but also reinforced her personal commitment to authenticity, diversity, and representation. Her embrace of a gender-fluid Oscar was both a humorous gesture and a symbolic nod to evolving conversations in the entertainment industry, signaling a broader awareness of identity and inclusion.