Zoe Saldaña has a lot to celebrate at the 2025 Golden Globes.
The actress, 46, earned her very first Golden Globes nomination for her role in Emilia Perezfor best performance by a female actor in a supporting role.
Saldaña walked the red carpet in a dark brown strapless sequin Saint Laurent gown with a matching cape that she wore draped around her arms. She added even more sparkle with a dazzling diamond necklace.
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On the red carpet, she told E! that Saint Laurent creative director Anthony Vaccarello — who also produced Emilia Perez designed her gown for her.
“I just told him I wanted something in the chocolates, in the deep browns,” she said of the rich said of her dress. “I just felt really beautiful in it.”
Saldaña is up for best performance by a female actor in a supporting role for her performance as lawyer named Rita in Jacques Audiard’s musical thriller film.
Other actresses vying for the award include Selena Gomez (Emilia Perez), Ariana Grande (Wicked), Felicity Jones (The Brutalist), Margaret Qualley (The Substance) and Isabella Rossellini (Conclave).
In the 10-time nominated Emilia PerezSaldaña portrays Rita Moro Castro, an undervalued lawyer at a large firm who is hired to help cartel leader Manitas secretly complete a sex change operation to “become the woman he has always dreamt of being” as Manitas nears retirement.
The film — which is a musical featuring original songs — became a breakout sensation at the Cannes Film Festival in May, where it received a nearly 10-minute-long standing ovation and won both the Jury Prize and the best actress award for its collective female ensemble.
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Saldaña mentioned how important highlighting Mexican culture is to her while promoting the film at the festival alongside Gomez.
“I’ve been living in Los Angeles for about 20 years. Mexican culture is something that’s dear to my heart. I’ve lots of family still there,” the actress said.
Saldaña recognized Audiard’s work on the film, saying she’s “very grateful” that he “used a lot of creative liberty and freedom” to tell the story.
“He has this story which depicts a number of things that you can find in Mexico and which need to be improved in other countries,” Saldaña said. “But he celebrates the culture, which is so beautiful, and so rich, and so artistic.”
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Saldaña spoke with PEOPLE during an exclusive interview Monday, Dec. 9 after receiving her exciting news about the Golden Globes nomination.
“It feels really overwhelmingly beautiful,” Saldaña said of the news. “I didn’t know how much I wanted it because I stopped thinking that it would ever happen for someone like me. I’m really having an out of body experience and my heart is full of gratitude. It feels good to be recognized for the hard work that you put into something that you believe so much in.”
The Avatar alum was in Paris when she heard about her nominations and instantly contacted her mother, Asalia Nazario, and her husband of over 10 years, Marco Perego.
“I woke up my mom,” she told PEOPLE with a laugh. “My husband was awake. He was definitely awake, so I connected with him first and foremost.”
She continued, “My entire team is awake in L.A. and in New York and rooting for us, rooting for me and rooting for Emilia Perez. I connected with them as well and I’m here with my team too. I was surrounded by just love and support.”
See PEOPLE’s full coverage of the 82nd annual Golden Globes as they’re broadcasting live from The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles on CBS and Paramount+.
