Zoe Saldana wins first Golden Globe award

The part-Lebanese actress won the best supporting performance prize for her role in Emilia Perez

Zoe Saldana won her first Golden Globe award for her supporting performance in Emilia Perez. AFP

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Actress Zoe Saldana has won her first Golden Globe award for her supporting performance in Emilia Perez.

The part-Lebanese performer, 46, tearfully accepted the prize for the Jacques Audiard-directed project, which also won the award for best non-English language film.

“This is a first time for me," Saldana remarked on stage.

Also nominated in the category were her co-star in the film Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande (Wicked), Felicity Jones (The Brutalist), Margaret Qualley (The Substance) and Isabella Rossellini (Conclave).

"I’m just so blessed that I’m sharing this with Selena and Karla and Jacques and all of my fellow nominees. I’m in awe of you," added Saldana. “All I have witnessed is just us showing up for each other and celebrating each other, and it’s just so beautiful."

Saldana also complimented the film's director, who also helmed the 2009 film A Prophet, starring Tahar Rahim.

"You’re so French and so chic and confident and kind – I love it," Saldana said, before giving another shout out to her co-stars. “Adriana, Edgar [Ramirez] and Selena, I’m sharing this with you. Karla, no one other than you could have played Emilia Perez.”

Saldana returned to the stage later in the evening, when El Mal won best original song, which the actress sings in the film.

Saldana, who first gained recognition for her performance in the 2000 film Center Stage, has since become the highest-grossing actress in history, having starred in Avatar, Avatar: The Way of Water, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.

Sandana's mother is of Arab descent, who she credits with having turned her into the woman she is today.

"I come from a family that sits down with people. They’re very interested in knowing who this person is and where they come from, and breaking bread with that person. That’s what it’s like to be Arab. That’s what it’s like to be Latina. I don't see life any other way,” Saldana said in 2023.

This year, Saldana will appear in the third Avatar film, Avatar: Fire and Ash, as well as the Disney-Pixar film, Elio.