Zoe Saldaña drops swear-filled BAFTA speech — gets cut off mid-flow

Zoe Saldaña, the 46-year-old Hollywood star, was in for a surprise at the 2025 BAFTAs when her passionate acceptance speech took an unexpected turn. Winning the Best Actress in a Supporting Role award for her performance as Rita Mora Castro in the controversial musical "Emilia Pérez," Saldaña found herself abruptly cut off mid-rant.

Besting a lineup of renowned actresses including Jamie Lee Curtis, Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, Felicity Jones, and Isabella Rossellini, the Marvel sensation took the stage seemingly overwhelmed. As she delved into her speech, emotions ran high, her voice quivered, and a few choice words slipped out as she expressed gratitude to her fellow cast members and the crew from the film.

Expressing her disbelief at the win, Saldaña shared, "I was told not to cry by my children, so I'll try. This is so validating and a true honor because the very few times that I went for a part with a British accent or dialect coach, I was like, 'This is not going to happen to you.'"

Continuing with a mix of emotions, she added, "Even though I have a lot of British friends, I find myself repeating all their phrases, and I know that I'm a pain in the a**." Saldaña's speech took a heartfelt turn as she thanked Bafta for the creative challenge and acknowledged the cast and crew for their contributions.

She emphasized the transformative power of films, stating, "Films are supposed to change hearts and challenge minds, and I hope I did something like this. Voices need to be heard, just not my English accent." Saldaña's emotional journey continued as she dedicated her awards and the film "Emilia Pérez" to her nephew, Eli, a reason close to her heart for taking on the film.

However, the mood shifted to a mix of emotions when a countdown interrupted her speech, leading to an outburst from Saldaña, "Oh my god, I'm getting a countdown. F*** f*** f***!" Despite the broadcast skipping her colorful conclusion, the audience witnessed her gracefully exiting the stage with her award in hand.

While "Emilia Pérez" celebrated success at the BAFTAs by winning the Best Film Not in the English Language category, the film has not been without its share of controversies. Initially criticized for not casting Mexican talent in Mexican roles, the situation escalated when lead actress Karla Sofia faced backlash over resurfaced past tweets.

In response to the controversy potentially overshadowing the film's success, Sofia withdrew from the awards circuit. Although still in contention for an Oscar next month, her presence at the ceremony remains uncertain. The film's journey has been marked by highs and lows, making it a topic of discussion in the industry.