Zoe Saldaña wins BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress in Emilia Pérez

London, (EFE).- Zoe Saldaña won the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the musical film Emilia Pérez, surpassing nominees Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, Isabella Rossellini, Felicity Jones, and Jamie Lee Curtis. This marks her first BAFTA win, adding to her recent Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Award victories.

Portraying Mexican lawyer Rita Mora Castro, Saldaña’s performance was widely praised. In her acceptance speech, she acknowledged her Latin accent and called the award a “validation” after facing past rejections due to her way of speaking. She also expressed gratitude to the cast, director Jacques Audiard, and her mother.

Emilia Pérez, a major contender with 11 nominations, faced controversy due to past racist posts by lead actress Karla Sofía Gascón. However, the film’s success at the BAFTAs strengthens its position ahead of the Oscars.