Zoe Saldaña Dedicated Her BAFTA to Her Trans Nephew—And Then Got Censored
Zoe Saldaña had a major moment at the 2025 BAFTAs, winning Best Supporting Actress for her role in Emilia Perez. The Avatar star accepted the award at London’s Royal Festival Hall, presented by Colman Domingo and Adam Pearson. While her heartfelt speech was full of gratitude, humor, and emotion, it was also cut from the BBC’s broadcast—a move that has sparked controversy.
According to The New York Post, Saldaña began her speech by joking about her children warning her not to cry. She called the award “so validating and a true honor” before thanking her cast, crew, and director Jacques Audiard. She described the film as “a creative challenge of a lifetime.” But one moment in particular made headlines.
Zoe Saldaña Dedicates Her BAFTA to Her Trans Nephew
As she neared the end of her speech, Saldaña took a personal turn, dedicating her award to her nephew, Eli. “He is the reason—they are the reason—I signed up to do this film in the first place,” she said, as reported by PA Media. “So as the proud aunt of a trans life, I will always stand with my community of trans people.”
Her statement was met with applause, but it was noticeably absent from the BBC’s official broadcast of the ceremony. The network later claimed the edit was due to “time constraints,” per NME, though many viewers believe the cut was intentional given the political nature of her dedication.
Zoe Saldaña’s Speech Gets Censored—And People Are Talking
Saldaña’s speech wasn’t just censored—it was cut off mid-sentence. As she noticed a countdown signaling her time was almost up, she panicked, blurting out, “Oh my God, I’m getting a countdown. F—, f—, f—!” The BBC removed this part as well, citing its strict no-swearing policy.
However, The Mirror pointed out that other expletive-laden moments have made it into BAFTA broadcasts before. This has led many to question whether Saldaña’s speech was edited specifically to downplay her trans-affirming message.
A Winning Night for Emilia Perez
Despite the controversy, Emilia Perez had a successful night. The Spanish-language musical, which stars Saldaña as a lawyer aiding a cartel boss in her transition, also won Best Film Not in the English Language. Director Jacques Audiard accepted the award, thanking his cast, including Saldaña, Selena Gomez, and Karla Sofía Gascón.
The film has been at the center of heated discussions, especially after Gascón faced backlash for past social media comments. Saldaña later told The Independent that she was “still processing everything that has transpired,” but she emphasized that the film was about inclusivity and representation.
Why Zoe Saldaña’s BAFTA Speech Matters
For many, the censorship of Saldaña’s speech underscores the ongoing struggles of trans representation in mainstream media. Her moment at the BAFTAs was more than just an acceptance speech—it was a statement of solidarity. As conversations continue around media gatekeeping and LGBTQ+ visibility, her words serve as a reminder that representation isn’t just about who gets cast in a film—it’s about who gets heard.
