Zoe Saldaña Wins SAG Award, Ahead of Academy Awards

LOS ANGELES, California — Zoe Saldaña continued her awards season sweep on February 23, 2025, by winning the Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Rita in the critically acclaimed film ‘Emilia Pérez.’

Saldaña’s win marks a significant milestone as she has secured best supporting actress prizes from all major Oscar precursor awards, including the Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice, and BAFTAs, solidifying her status as a frontrunner for the Academy Award next month.

During her emotional acceptance speech, Saldaña expressed gratitude towards her family and the SAG-AFTRA community. “To be in this room…this is my community, this is my circus,” she said, adding, “I am grateful that my mother and father and sisters looked it up and helped me educate myself to know what it means to be a part of a union that protects me so I can make a living out of this crazy industry.”

Saldaña’s performance in ‘Emilia Pérez,’ a film that follows a Mexican drug cartel leader transitioning into a woman, has garnered widespread acclaim. She is now the second Latina to win the SAG award in this category, following Ariana DeBose for ‘West Side Story.’

She dedicated her win to her family, saying, “I am proud to be a part of a union that allows me to be who I am. I’ve never been questioned where I come from or judged for how I speak or what my pronouns are.”

Some industry experts speculated earlier in the season that controversy surrounding the film’s co-star, Karla Sofia Gascon, might impact Saldaña’s awards chances. Gascon faced backlash after racist tweets resurfaced, posing challenges for the film’s Oscar campaign. Saldaña addressed the controversy during a Q&A in London, stating, “I can only attest to the experience that I had with each individual that was a part of this film.”

Despite the backlash, Saldaña’s performance and her advocacy for inclusivity have taken center stage this awards season. She said her experience on the film emphasized “inclusivity and collaboration and racial, cultural, and gender equity.”

As the Academy Awards approach on March 2, Saldaña’s achievements have ignited discussions about representation within the film industry. With her win at the SAG Awards, she has become an inspirational figure as she celebrates her Dominican heritage and her journey in Hollywood since her debut in the 1999 TV series ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.’

Saldaña’s triumphs during this awards season are not only a testament to her talent but also an emblem of her advocacy for diversity in the arts, highlighting the evolving landscape of representation in the film industry.