February 8, 2025: Zoe Saldana’s triumphant run continued as she clinched the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in Emilia Perez at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards. This victory marks her second win in the same category after winning the Golden Globe earlier this year for the same performance.
Saldana was up against a strong field of nominees, including Danielle Deadwyler for The Piano Lesson, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor for Nickel Boys, Ariana Grande for Wicked, Margaret Qualley for The Substance, and Isabella Rossellini for Conclave.
In her acceptance speech, Zoe expressed her gratitude to the Critics Choice Association and her fellow nominees, while also acknowledging the role of movie critics in shaping her career. She humorously referenced her role in the Avatar franchise, saying, “I appreciate the role of a critic. I do. I sometimes read the reviews and internalize it, especially the helpful feedback like, ‘Her crying is distracting.’ ‘She’s in too many franchises.’ Or, my personal favorite, she’s too blue.”
Reflecting on Emilia Perez, she shared, “To think that Emilia Perez is the little movie that could and has resonated with so many people has been an experience worth having. My wish for the impact of this film on audiences and our world is that I hope we can all be curious and open-hearted towards each other. You never know when you have the opportunity to be a hero in someone else’s story. Our world is too big and too beautiful to be any other way. Stay curious, stay kind and stay blue — not too blue.”
For the awards night, Zoe turned heads in a stunning open-back red silk Saint Laurent gown, paired with matching heels and a black bow at the back that complemented her black choker. She added a touch of elegance with diamond rings, elevating her already glamorous look.
With this win, Zoe has firmly cemented her place as a top contender in the Best Supporting Actress category for the upcoming BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards, with the Oscars in March being the next major milestone in her awards season journey.