Fans React to 46-Year-Old Zoë Saldaña’s Photoshoot for Harper’s Bazaar – Photos

Zoë Saldaña has graced Harper’s Bazaar’s cover with her striking presence, garnering mixed reactions from her fans and followers. The magazine’s announcement, shared on January 22, 2025, describes Zoë as a “tour de force” in sci-fi cinema, referencing her iconic roles in “Avatar,” “Guardians of the Galaxy,” and “Star Trek.”

Most notably, it highlights her recent success in “Emilia Pérez,” which earned the actress her first Golden Globe. The photoshoot, titled “The Possibility Issue,” features Zoë in a bold and artistic look. On the cover, she appears in a sheer, form-fitting outfit with a unique textured design, which some noted gives the illusion of nudity.

The striking image was meant to capture attention and showcase Zoë’s versatility and confidence. The accompanying caption emphasized her evolution as an actress, stating that her latest project “unearths the full scope of her star power.”

While Harper’s Bazaar celebrated Zoë’s achievement, reactions on social media were divided. On Instagram, users debated the boldness of the cover photo, with some praising its artistry and others questioning its execution.

One Instagram user commented, “This very bold from BAZAAR. No need to show so much in my opinion. Zoe is absolutely gorgeous. I just don’t understand as to why having to be so explicit with the semi-nude photo [sic].”

Another user defended the photoshoot, “People may want to zoom in before they comment. She’s wearing something that gives the illusion of nudity. She is not actually nude. Photography is art, the human body is art; neither are distasteful.”

Others focused on the technical aspects of the photo, pointing out its use of editing. “LOVE Zoe….but what is up with the over air brushing of the shirt? Its neck is visible but its bottom bleeds/meshes into her skin [sic]???” wrote one Instagram user.

Another added, “She couldn’t easily done the pose wearing something. Even a scarf strategically placed would’ve loved 100x better than this cover. Sad bc she is a really talented actress and beautiful woman. She doesn’t been to pose nude [sic].” In comparison, one user sang her praises, “Oh she is just so beautiful!”

On Facebook, many commenters echoed similar sentiments about the pose and design. One user critiqued the layout of the cover, “I don’t know if there’s some sort of perspective shifting that they’re trying to do with this cover, but the fact that she is supposed to be lying down and it’s vertical makes it look awkward. Why not do a close-up of her face lying down? Or just another pose altogether as the cover photo?”

Another Facebook user mentioned, “This pose wasn’t very flattering….and why is this on my feed like this?!” While fans generally recognized Zoë’s beauty and talent, the photoshoot sparked a debate on its artistic choices and the message it aimed to convey.

Zoë’s drive to thrive under the pressure of global stardom comes from her early life experiences. Growing up in Queens, New York, in the 1980s, she was the middle of three sisters.

Her father tragically died in a car accident when she was just nine years old. In the aftermath, her mother sent Zoë and her sisters to the Dominican Republic to live with family while she worked multiple jobs in the U.S. to support them.

Speaking about her upbringing, Zoë shared, “My life has always been saved, over and over again, by people who have taken me in, by guiding me, raising me, and educating me.”

Her childhood challenges also laid the foundation for her love of art. She explained in her Harper’s Bazaar interview, “I learned in a very innocent, unconscious way when I was very young that I need to live in art, because I find peace. I can rest when I’m creating.”

Zoë’s artistic journey began with dance, which she credits for shaping her early discipline and mindset. As a teenager, she returned to New York, joined local theater troupes, and gained recognition for her talents.

Dance, however, remained a constant throughout her career, with Zoë saying, “Ballet, at that time, wasn’t what I specifically wanted. [But it] was exactly what I needed to settle my restless mind.”

She fondly recalls her ballet teacher Dilia Mieses, who taught her that “less is more.” Mieses’ philosophy instilled in Saldaña the importance of poise and simplicity, traits that continue to influence her work today.

Zoë’s latest project, “Emilia Pérez,” has become a milestone in her career. The film follows four women in Mexico, with Zoë playing Rita, an overworked attorney who helps a cartel leader fake her death so she can live authentically as her true self. For this role, Zoë earned her first-ever Golden Globe and the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress.

To prepare for the role, Zoë revisited the more challenging moments of her life. “In a way, it was just reconnecting with parts of me throughout my life where I felt that kind of desperation,” she shared with Harper’s Bazaar. Her performance in the film has been widely praised, with critics highlighting how she brings depth and vulnerability to Rita’s character.

Despite the debate surrounding the cover, many fans admire Zoë for her talent and resilience. Born on June 19, 1978, in Passaic, New Jersey, to Puerto Rican and Dominican parents, Zoë, 46, has paved an extraordinary path in Hollywood.

Today, she balances her career with her family life, raising three children with her husband, artist Marco Perego, 45, whom she married in 2013.

Just a month ago, on December 2, 2024, the couple made headlines when they stepped out with their three sons to attend the premiere of “Emilia Pérez” at the National Museum of Cinema in Turin, Italy. The adorable little boys, who have been spoken about in past interviews, garnered significant attention online, with many swooning over their appearances and how similar they look to their mom.

For the industry affair, the “Avatar” star opted for a casual-chic ensemble, including a long-sleeved black top and a long gray skirt. She finished her look off with a bold dark red lip and accessorized with an eye-catching necklace.

Meanwhile, Marco rocked a striped t-shirt, which was covered by a cozy-looking cardigan and leather jacket. He also donned jeans, suede shoes, and a light-colored hat. The couple’s twins, Cy Aridio and Bowie Ezio Perego-Saldaña, wore similar outfits to each other and left their long hair loose.

Both sported navy suit jackets, white shirts, and black shoes. While one of them paired their outfit with black jeans, the other wore navy pants. Zen Perego-Saldaña, whose hair was also left loose, donned black pants, sneakers, a printed t-shirt, and a blue jacket.

Aside from posing for pictures at the event’s photocall, Zoe, who stars as Rita Mora Castro in “Emilia Pérez,” also received the Stella della Mole Award.

The National Museum of Cinema (aka Museo Nazionale del Cinema), which hosted the premiere, shared a video on Instagram on December 4, 2024, showing the actress receiving the award.

In it, Zoe was seen speaking on stage alongside her husband and fellow titans in the industry before she was honored. Footage also displayed the star taking the time to pose for photos with fans and signing their autographs after she gave her acceptance speech.

Additionally, the post showed a special moment where iconic filmmaker James Cameron appeared onscreen to share a few words about Zoe.

“Yesterday @zoesaldana was the undisputed star of the evening 🔥 making the Temple Hall shine and receiving the Stella della Mole award for her talent and versatility in returning powerful and complex emotions on the big screen 🎬,” began the organization’s caption, which was originally written in Italian.

“In the link also @jamescameronofficial greeted the actress and anticipated that she will soon be a guest at the National Cinema Museum! Stay tuned 🔥,” concluded the message.

Although Zoe, who also stars in the series “Lioness,” was the one being honored at the premiere, it was her boys who received most of the attention online. Many netizens complimented them and their hair, and marveled at the resemblance they share with Zoe.

“Wow she literally duplicated herself 3x!” exclaimed an Instagrammer, while a fan chimed in with, “Her children are gorgeous and a spitting image of her.” Another echoed, “She really did a copy and paste with her kids 🤣😍.”

More complimentary and resemblance comments ensued, with yet another observer opining, “All those little boys have the most gorgeous hair ever! The twins look exactly like little Zoes [sic].”

“Those kids have great hair lol,” added a Facebooker, while a spectator wrote, “🔥Those hair genes.” “Wow! Those kids hit the jackpot with their genes! My gosh – all of them so [sic] beautiful,” gushed someone else. Reiterating the public’s affinity for the boys’ hair, a fan noted, “blessed [sic] with great hair 😄👏.”

Echoing a similar sentiment, another expressed, “Wow, beautiful kids! Gorgeous hair 😍,” while an Instagrammer stated, “That’s alot [sic] of hair in the bathroom 😂😂 cute family.”

“Geez, talk about hitting the genetic lottery! Those are some gorgeous children! Well done Zoe and hubby!” marveled an admirer. “Most gorgeous kids ever,” praised another fan.

“Her genes won by a landslide 😁,” observed an Instagram follower. “They stole her whole face. 🤗😊,” mentioned an observer.

A fellow fan highlighted, “Of course her family would be stunning, just like their momma! Congratulations.” Complimenting the entire family, an admirer said, “They all have such beautiful hair 🥰.”

While Zoe and Marco’s beautiful boys have been seen by the public from time to time, the doting parents still hold their sons’ privacy in the highest regard.

Back in 2017, Zoe spoke to People magazine about the matter during an interview she did at a press event for her partnership with Japan’s All Nippon Airways.

“Marco and I have a great deal of respect for the privacy of our kids, they’re dependent on us so they’re not in a position to make choices for themselves. We have to choose for them and part of that is giving them the anonymity that they need so that they can feel safe and not aware of anything around them,” divulged Zoe.

She then noted how traumatizing it could potentially be for a child to have a camera in their face, especially when they don’t know why or what’s going on.

Zoe added, “This is the path that we’ve chosen, we have to wait for their choices to be heard so in the meantime, we need to protect their environment and we’re all about that.”

In another interview from October 2023, Zoe spoke about her kids again. This time, she focused on how she and Marco Perego raise Cy, Bowie, and Zen, noting how she and her husband emphasize the importance of the boys honoring themselves and their femininity.

Contextualizing why the parents choose to teach their kids to embrace and celebrate their feminine sides, Zoe reflected how society tends to encourage men to be tough and suppress their emotions.

When such teachings are carried on for a long time, this can lead male individuals to completely cut themselves off from their feelings.

“We definitely understood the assignments and accepted it knowing that we were raising boys during a time when women’s movements are so important,” disclosed Zoe on the matter.

Outside of respecting their privacy and raising them, Zoe Saldaña also balances being a hands-on mom with a busy work schedule.

She reflected on this balance in a post she shared on October 15, 2024. Alongside an adorable photo of her playing with two of her kids while dressed up as her character Gamora from “Guardians of the Galaxy,” Zoe captioned, “Being on the road is hard when you’re away from your children.”

She continued, “To all the moms out there making the ultimate sacrifice for their dreams. Those dreams are their’s [sic] too! Trust the process… #momlife.”

Saldaña continues to excel both personally and professionally, showing no signs of being affected by the online debate surrounding her life and choices.