Latest news with #Saldaña
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How Zoe Saldaña helped shape Pixar's upcoming film ‘Elio'
The filmmakers behind Pixar's latest animated movie, Elio, say Zoe Saldaña was the perfect choice to join the voice cast — and they had several reasons why. 'We're grateful to have Zoe joining our project. She's the queen of sci-fi,' says codirector Madeline Sharafian, referring to Saldaña's iconic roles in Avatar, Star Trek, and Guardians of the Galaxy. 'We wanted this film to feel like Pixar's love letter to sci-fi.' More from GoldDerby 'The Pitt' star Supriya Ganesh on Mohan 'reworking' her trauma and when she'll realize Abbot is flirting with her Everything to know about HBO's 'Harry Potter' TV series - including the cast and controversy 'Harry Potter' TV series casts its Harry, Hermione, and Ron On Tuesday, Pixar released a new trailer for the film featuring Saldaña in action as aunt Olga. The film follows an 11-year-old boy (voiced by Yonas Kibreab) who is captivated by space and dreams of being abducted by aliens. After the loss of his parents, he goes to live with his aunt Olga, a highly respected U.S. Air Force major. As Olga adjusts to her new role as guardian, she must navigate the demands of military life while caring for a grieving, imaginative child. 'Zoe brought a lot of military know-how. She's played a lot of strong military characters in the past,' Sharafian tells Gold Derby. 'She was able to bring that balance of warmth when Olga is trying to step into this parental role, but also when Olga is in professional mode and she turns it on — it's a really difficult needle to thread for this character who needs to be a little bit of an unlikeable parent.' Sharafian adds that Saldaña, who won an Oscar earlier this year for her role in Emilia Pérez, added a performance that was essential in grounding the character with emotional realism. 'She did such a gorgeous job of giving Olga vulnerability,' says Sharafian. 'Underneath everything you can tell there is love for Elio — even if she is having these arguments. I don't think we would be successful without her.' Pixar Codirector Domee Shi, who previously helmed Pixar's Turning Red also highlighted how Saldaña's cultural background played a pivotal role in shaping the film's authenticity. 'She has endless range. She can do comedy. She can do drama. She's also incredibly smart and thoughtful,' Shi tells Gold Derby. 'We leaned on her a lot in flushing out Olga's Dominican background. Lines and expression — she was able to add an authentic Dominican flavor to it that just made Olga feel more real. I am so grateful for that.' The filmmakers' commitment to authenticity extended beyond dialogue. Saldaña collaborated closely with the creative team to add personal touches to Olga's world—details that reflect the characters' multicultural roots. 'Elio [has] both Dominican and Mexican side represented in the [his] house,' Sharafian says. 'There's a moment in the film where Olga hears a song on the radio that she really likes, and we did ask Zoe for input on that — like, which Dominican song would Olga like, would you like? There is a moment in the film where Olga says, 'Oh, I love that song.' And Zoe really does love that song.' Elio hits theaters June 20. Best of GoldDerby Marilyn Monroe movies: 15 greatest films ranked worst to best Clint Eastwood movies: 20 greatest films ranked worst to best Morgan Freeman movies: 15 greatest films ranked worst to best Click here to read the full article.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Boy Mom Zoe Saldana's Sons Are Total Thalassophiles in These Rare & Scenic Photos
Zoe Saldana's sons are just like her in so many ways, from their love of action movies to art. And now, it seems the family is full of thalassophiles. Thalassophiles are people who love the sea and the ocean, derived from the Greek words 'thalassa' (sea) and 'phile' (lover). And yes, her sons are that to a tee! On May 18, the Oscar-winning actress shared a series of photos on her Instagram with the caption reading, '🌀🌀🌀.' More from SheKnows Diddy's Twins Jessie & D'Lila Make a Statement at Prom Amid Father's Legal Issues Not only do we get some gorgeous mirror selfies and pics from the 2025 Met Gala, but we see some super-sweet photos of two of her sons making sandcastles and looking out at the ocean. Truly, it's so heartwarming to see them connect to the sea as much as their mom does. And this isn't the first time we've seen her sons have the time of their lives on the beach. Back in Feb 2024, she posted a video on Instagram featuring various family moments, including sunrise beach scenes with her husband Marco Perego and their three sons. She captioned the post: 'Lost, lost lost…. In the best places, with the best people. Always lost…. Amen!' For those who don't know, Saldaña and her husband, Marco Perego, share three sons together: twins Cy and Bowie, born in Nov 2014, and Zen, born in Dec 2016. In an interview with SheKnows for the 2023 Holiday Issue, Saldaña talked about the quality time she spends with her. 'When it comes to rituals and interactions that we can do together, I will do it,' she said. 'It gives us the opportunity to play these games with them … you know, interact, as opposed to just granting them this time and monitoring it. We're right in the trenches with them playing the game, and it's become a family event for us.'Best of SheKnows 19 Celebrity Stepparents Who Have a Tight Bond With Their Stepkids I'm 29 Weeks Pregnant, & Comfortable Sandals Are a *Must* This Summer—These Are the Best Ones on the Market Recent Baby & Toddler Product Recalls Every Parent and Caregiver Should Know About
Forbes
05-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
How Iván Saldaña Turned Science, Sustainability, And A Deep Love Of Agave Into Montelobos Mezcal
Montelobos As Cinco de Mayo approaches, many consumers will raise a glass of tequila or mezcal without realizing the centuries of tradition — and science — behind Mexico's most celebrated spirits. For Iván Saldaña, founder of Montelobos Mezcal, understanding that history has been a lifelong pursuit. Before he ever stepped into a distillery, Saldaña spent years studying the agave plant's secrets — not as a distiller, but as a scientist. 'I spent a few years investigating agave,' Saldaña explains. 'I did a PhD on plant and stress. I'm very fascinated by the biological solutions the plant had to apply in order to see through its evolutionary path in the desert.' Iván Saldaña Though his background is in plant biochemistry, Saldaña's journey eventually led him out of academia and into the spirits industry at a pivotal time for agave. When tequila production was expanding rapidly but knowledge about the agave plant was lacking, Saldaña was recruited by a major French spirits company to lead research and development. Through this experience, he discovered an unexpected creative outlet. 'I discovered that a lot of the knowledge I had gained earlier on, the chemistry of the agave, actually could translate into smells and flavors,' he says. 'Science is always a very creative space, but not in the same way as you would do it as a master distiller.' Ultimately, his passion for agave and desire to build something more personal led him to leave the corporate world. In partnership with Daniel Moy, Saldaña launched Montelobos — a brand rooted in science, tradition, and an uncompromising commitment to sustainability. Very early in the morning the farmer is cutting agave plants in the field of Tequila Jalisco. Over the past decade, mezcal has experienced rapid growth, both in the United States and globally. But Saldaña notes that its evolution has not been uniform across markets. 'Mezcal has changed in Mexico for Mexicans, and mezcal has changed in the US for Americans,' he says. 'Almost any relevant brand in the US has never been relevant in Mexico. Historically, that's starting to change.' Montelobos is a rare brand that found success early in both markets, something Saldaña attributes to its authenticity. 'We were building in both sides, trying to have a current story that was not made to charm the American bartender,' he says. "We were what we were, and we wanted to be understood by the American bartender.' Today, the mezcal category is more diverse and mature. American consumers are more familiar with different expressions, and mezcalero families increasingly own and distribute their own brands. Meanwhile, European interest in mezcal is rising as well, aided by a cultural appreciation for origin-driven, artisanal products. Agave piles in distillery waiting for processing, Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico Despite mezcal's growing visibility, Saldaña is clear-eyed about its relative size compared to other spirits. 'We are three to four percent of what tequila is," he says. "I think eventually this will become maybe 10% of what the tequila business is." He sees an opportunity for sustained growth, but emphasizes that the category's long-term success will depend on addressing critical sustainability challenges. 'Plantations of agave will take seven years to grow,' he says. 'When you are organic, that means you've been observed by third-party entities that come and look at how you are doing it.' Montelobos has invested heavily in building its own organic agave supply chain. The company uses modern technologies like drone monitoring to track plant growth and only sources FSC-certified wood to reduce its environmental impact. 'All these things can be planned and foreseen," Saldaña says. "It requires commitment, money, and a lot of hope that things are gonna go as planned.' Saldaña believes mezcal's intrinsic complexity is a key driver of its appeal. 'Maybe mezcal is the most complex spirit in there," he says. "By chemically, it's at least the most complex white spirit.' While other spirits like gin achieve complexity by adding botanicals, mezcal's richness comes entirely from a single ingredient — agave — and the traditional processes used to transform it. 'Agaves can produce up to 40 different turpines, essential oils that can be expressed,' he says. 'Then you have to cook the piña, which generates a Maillard reaction, super complex. Add natural fermentation, add the smoke from the roasting process — you truly end up with something chemically ultra-complex.' For Saldaña, every step in making mezcal connects back to millions of years of agave evolution — and centuries of tradition. For those interested in exploring mezcal for the first time, Saldaña recommends starting with knowledge. 'If someone wants to get into mezcal, they're going to get into the most complex spirit that exists," he says. "First, read. Learn a little about mezcal, have a context." He recommends Montelobos as a great starting point — a spirit designed for sipping, not just mixing. He also suggests checking out resources like Anatomy of Mezcal, a short guide he wrote to introduce consumers to the production process and flavor profiles. Beyond that, he says, it's all about conscious tasting. 'You want to elevate yourself, you have to put your intention, your presence, into trying to understand what you're tasting,' he says. "It's an extraordinary experience. I've seen so many people almost become part of a cult after they start to taste mezcal." For Saldaña, mezcal's future remains bright — and he's committed to ensuring Montelobos continues to grow sustainably, authentically, and true to its roots.
USA Today
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Zoe Saldaña wows crowd with epic first look at 'Avatar: Fire & Ash'
Zoe Saldaña wows crowd with epic first look at 'Avatar: Fire & Ash' LAS VEGAS – Humans aren't the only problem for our Na'vi heroes in the next "Avatar" movie. Closing out Disney's presentation at CinemaCon on Thursday, franchise star (and newly minted Oscar winner) Zoe Saldaña introduced the first 3D footage of "Avatar: Fire & Ash" (in theaters Dec. 19) at the convention of theater owners. Director James Cameron sent a video message from New Zealand, where he's finishing up the third "Avatar" installment before its holiday release. The last film, "Avatar: The Way of Water," introduced the aquatic Metkayina clan to the film's mythology, and the sweeping and expansive first footage gave the audience a peek at two more tribes. Saldaña described the Windtraders as a "nomadic air clan" while the Mangkwan clan, aka the "Ash People," are former Nai'vi who have forsaken the deity Eywa and live amid volcanos. Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox The footage showed the Sully family – including Jake (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Saldaña) – traveling from the oceanic environment where they ended up in "The Way of Water" and taking to the skies in large jellyfish-y air ships. They're attacked by bandits on winged creatures, and while we don't really know anything about the plot yet, it's clear that there's not a lot of peace these days in Pandora. "We cannot live like this, in hate," Jake says. But trouble comes from a couple of sides for Jake and Co. in "Fire & Ash." The human invaders as usual are a major threat to Pandora in an existential sense, plus former military guy/Na'vi villain Colonel Quaritch (Stephen Lang) is a constant thorn in their sides. And while the Ash People look really cool, they're quite fearsome when our heroes run afoul of the rage-filled and fiery antagonists. "Your goddess has no dominion here," snarls the Ash People's leader, Varang (Oona Chaplin). Saldaña teased that "Fire & Ash" is "unlike anything audiences have ever seen and exactly what they want."
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Texas' Rio Grande Valley didn't see last week's historic storms coming
EDINBURG — At 2 a.m. Friday, Rick Saldaña was traveling back to Edinburg from Mercedes, a city about 26 miles away, in an area known as the Mid-Valley. The roads were flooded. The frontage roads that feed into the expressway resembled lakes. Hundreds of cars were abandoned by people unable to drive further. The rain kept coming. Winds reached about 60 miles per hour and Saldaña could barely see anything. "It came with a vengeance," he said. Saldaña is the emergency management coordinator for Hidalgo County. In his office in Edinburg, county workers and staff from the Texas Division of Emergency Management were still just at the beginning of what is expected to be a long road to recovery. The effects from the rainfall killed at least six people. Four died from drowning in the Valley and in Reynosa, Mexico, and two from a house fire suspected of starting from a lightning strike. Hundreds more required rescue from their flooded homes or vehicles. By Monday, three days after the storm, several neighborhoods still remained underwater. [More than 100 Texas counties lack plans to curb damage from natural disasters] Assessments of the total damage are still underway, but Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for the four counties of the Valley. The Federal Emergency Management Agency was on the ground Wednesday to make their assessment. Preliminary reports suggest the damage and recovery totals from the flood would likely exceed $100 million, according to the National Weather Service Brownsville. "We were predicted to get no more than one to two inches of rain," Saldaña said. "For whatever reason, it shifted. It shifted our way." Big storms have hit the Rio Grande Valley region in South Texas before. The most recent in Saldaña's memory was 2018. March and April when the seasons change can be precarious, he said. "To me, those are scarier because you have no time to plan, versus with a hurricane, they give you ample time to start monitoring," he said. "These come in as surprises, and that's what happened. It surprised all of us." Saldaña said the county has made significant strides in improving the drainage system since then by widening the drainage canals to expand the amount of water that can flow through them. But what the area saw last week was a 100-year flood, he said. "Our drainage system couldn't support it," he said. "It doesn't make a difference if you have the world's best drainage system." Between March 26 and 28, the Valley received nearly 20 inches of rain, crushing prior daily, multi-day, and monthly March records in many areas. In a few locations, the amount of rainfall even rivaled the all-time two-day record set by the historic Hurricane Beulah in 1967, according to Barry Goldsmith, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Brownsville. Meteorologists knew rain was coming. The surprise was where it fell. Forecasts had the storm over the Coastal Bend toward brush country, Goldsmith said. "It wasn't until, really, within 12 hours that we were like 'Oh no, it's going toward the Valley now,'"he said. Even at that point, they didn't know exactly which county or which portion of the Valley was going to get hit. "It wasn't until the game was underway that we were able to tell people this is going to be really bad in parts of the Valley," he said. A National Weather Service report on the storm acknowledged that their models were off, noting that even the areas predicted to be the strongest hit by the storm were only expected to receive 7-12 inches. The report explained that the dynamics of the fast-flowing, high-altitude air currents — that are most typical in the Mid-Atlantic or Northeast regions of the U.S. — led to high-energy, recharging of the atmosphere that caused repeated rounds of rainfall and severe weather. The heaviest rains fell in Cameron County which sustained the most damage where the Valley International Airport in Harlingen had to close for multiple days due to flooding on the runways. Other reports of severe weather included a tornado that briefly touched down in Hidalgo County. The devastation extended to farmers as well. Despite longing for rain to sustain their animals and crops during a prolonged period of drought, the huge volume of rain likely destroyed existing crops. "Torrential storms produced devastating rainfall totals, causing widespread destruction and posing a severe threat to Valley residents, farmers, and ranchers," Sid Miller, the Texas agriculture commissioner, said in a statement. "In addition to extensive damage to homes, vehicles, and infrastructure, the region is also facing significant agricultural and livestock losses." Sonny Hinojosa, water advocate with the Hidalgo County Irrigation District No. 2, said many crops were already up and the flooding likely killed those plants. "Poor farmers, they're taking a beating," Hinojosa said. "First, they're short on irrigation water and then you get a flood event like this and it drowns whatever crop you have.' There is a silver lining. One of the reservoirs that provides water to Valley farmers, the Falcon International Reservoir, received 45,663 acre-feet of water from the rain, growing from 11.2% to 12.8% of its capacity. It's just a fraction, Hinojosa said. However, if the U.S. receives half of those gains, it could provide three to four weeks of irrigation water for farmers. 'They rose a bit,' Goldsmith said of the water levels at the Falcon reservoir. 'But they're still well below what's needed to help improve the water resource situation that's facing the Valley.' Reporting in the Rio Grande Valley is supported in part by the Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. Tickets are on sale now for the 15th annual Texas Tribune Festival, Texas' breakout ideas and politics event happening Nov. 13–15 in downtown Austin. Get tickets before May 1 and save big! TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase.
