Zoe Saldaña Opens Up about Her 'Trans, Gender-Fluid' Oscar

Academy Award-winning actor Zoe Saldaña says there's more going on with her golden statuette than anyone knows. For one thing, the actor joked, Saldaña's Oscar is trans and uses they/them pronouns, Variety reported.

The 46-year-old "Lioness" star spoke with People Magazine at a red carpet event for the Pixar animated film "Elio," in which she voices Olga, the mother of the title character, a young boy mistakenly chosen by aliens to serve as a diplomat for planet earth. Saldaña previously told "Good Morning America" that the role "helps her get 'cool points' with her sons," People recalled.

On the subject of her Oscar, Saldaña told the outlet, "We have it in my office and my Oscar is gender fluid." At 13.5" and 8.5 pounds, Saldaña's statuette sounds like a heavyweight for representation!

Saldaña's quip is more than apt, given that the "Star Trek" and "Avatar" star won the award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of a lawyer named Rita in last year's stunning trans-themed musical "Emilia Perez." In that movie, Rita helps a Mexican drug lord transition to a new life as a woman.

Variety recalled that Saldaña also took home "supporting actress prizes from the Golden Globes, Critics' Choice Awards, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards prior to her Oscar night triumph."

Co-star Karla Sofía Gascón, who plays the drug lord both pre- and post-transition, was also Oscar nominated – in the Best Actress category – but her Academy Award bid fell short in the wake of a scandal around offensive social media posts from years ago coming to light once again. Still, Gascón made history as the first openly trans actor to be nominated for an Oscar in a performance category.

For Saldaña, the win was a sweet coda to a performance that took the world by surprise, showcasing her song and dance talents.