Zoe Saldaña Wins Her First Ever Golden Globe Award, the Only Black Winner of the Night

Nationwide — Zoe Saldaña won her first-ever Golden Globe on Sunday, January 5th, at the 82nd annual ceremony in Los Angeles. She made history as the only Black actor to win that night, taking home the award for her supporting role in Emilia Pérez.

The ceremony, held at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, honored top performances in film and television. Several African American stars, including Denzel Washington, Cynthia Erivo, Zendaya, Jamie Foxx, Quinta Brunson, Donald Glover, and Colman Domingo were nominated, but Saldaña was the only one to win, according to iHeart.

Viola Davis received the Cecil B. DeMille Award, recognizing her contributions to the world of entertainment, at a separate gala two days before the main event.

Saldaña earned the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in Emilia Pérez, the most-nominated film of the night. In the film, she plays a lawyer who helps a drug lord fake their death and undergo gender-affirming surgery.

During her emotional acceptance speech, Saldaña said, “I’m filled with adrenaline, but my heart is full of gratitude.”

Saldaña’s win came in a competitive category, with other nominees including her Emilia Pérez costar Selena Gomez, Wicked’s Ariana Grande, The Brutalist’s Felicity Jones, The Substance’s Margaret Qualley, and Conclave’s Isabella Rossellini.