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‘Cute Bodyguards’: Zoe Saldaña Joined on Red Carpet by Three Sons at Santa Barbara International Film Festival

Image of Zoë Saldaña | Credit: Getty Images

 

Zoe Saldaña, the lead in “Emilia Pérez,” attended the Santa Barbara International Film Festival to mark a career achievement. However, the three family members she brought with her became the center of attention at the 40th annual event on February 12, 2025, and ignited social media conversation.
A fan comment on Zoë Saldaña’s sons, dated February 12, 2025 | Source: Instagram/extratv

On February 12th, 2025, Zoë Saldaña received the American Riviera Award at The Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara, California, for her work in American movies. A fan commenting via ExtraTV’s Instagram account noted that she wasn’t the only focus; her trio of male children were also present for the special occasion.

The actress from “Colombiana” appeared at the premiere with her three sons: Cy Aridio and Bowie Ezio, both aged 10, and Zen Anton, aged 8. All three boys wore similar outfits consisting of dark jackets, white T-shirts, dark pants, and white sneakers.
Zoe Saldaña and her children Zen, Cy, and Bowie attend the American Riviera Award ceremony on February 12, 2025, in Santa Barbara, California | Source: Getty Images
Honoree Zoe Saldaña and her children, Cy, Zen, and Bowie, pose with the American Riviera Award during the 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival at The Arlington Theatre on February 12, 2025, in Santa Barbara, California | Source: Getty Images

Saldaña remarked at the festival that her education should always be continuous. She expressed that actors often cease studying once their careers begin. She believes continual practice is crucial because it improves their skills.

She stressed the necessity of ongoing education, stating: “If you aren’t creating, you should be enjoying art made by others or practicing your own skills.”
The appearance of Saldaña and her sons generated buzz with fans and their opinions spreading quickly on social media.

Specifically, one Facebook user described them as “Her cute bodyguards!” Another called them “Beautiful just like momma.” A third user observed that “They all look like their Mum.”

Zoe Saldaña and her three children, Zen, Cy and Bowie are seen at the American Riviera Award ceremony during the 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival at The Arlington Theatre on February 12, 2025, in Santa Barbara, California | Source: Getty Images

Instagram users commented on the children’s strong resemblance to their mother. Many highlighted the familial likeness, with one joking about the father’s lack of genetic contribution. Others directly noted the children’s inherited features, while some speculated on their future careers and questioned their hair texture.

Honoree Zoe Saldaña, and her three children, Zen, Cy and Bowie are pictured at the American Riviera Award ceremony during the 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival at The Arlington Theatre on February 12, 2025, in Santa Barbara, California | Source: Getty Images

All of these options keep the same information as the original, just reworded.

The actress has previously drawn attention with her kids at important occasions. For example, she and her husband, Perego, along with their three sons, were at the “Emilia Pérez” premiere at the National Museum of Cinema in Turin, Italy, on December 2, 2024, where Saldaña was 46 and Perego was 45.

Just like before, her sons were a focal point, with many online noting how much they looked like their well-known mom.

Fan comment about Zoe Saldaña and Marco Perego’s sons, posted on December 9, 2024 | Source: Facebook/Extra

On December 9, 2024, a Facebook user commenting on an “Extra” post noted that Zoe Saldaña wore a long-sleeved black top, a long gray skirt, a striking dark red lipstick, and a noticeable necklace to an industry event. The mother of three to Marco Perego’s sons’ look can be described as comfortably stylish.

Fan comment about Zoe Saldaña and Marco Perego’s sons, posted on December 9, 2024 | Source: Facebook/Extra

Perego wore a striped t-shirt, a cardigan, a leather jacket, jeans, suede shoes, and a light-colored hat. Their twin sons, Cy and Bowie, wore matching outfits and had their long hair down.

Marco Perego and Zoe Saldaña with their sons, Cy, Bowie, and Zen Perego-Saldaña at the photocall of the “Emilia Perez” premiere. | Source: Getty Images

Zoe and Marco both wore navy suit jackets, white shirts, and black shoes. One of them combined this with black jeans, and the other chose navy pants. Zen had his hair down and wore a printed t-shirt, a blue jacket, black pants, and sneakers.

Marco Perego and Zoe Saldaña with their kids Cy, Bowie, and Zen Perego-Saldaña. | Source: Getty Images

During the event, which included posing for photographs, Saldaña, known for her role as Rita Mora Castro in “Emilia Pérez,” was honored with the Stella della Mole Award. The Museo Nazionale del Cinema, the event’s host, posted a video on Instagram on December 4 showcasing Saldaña’s award presentation.

Zoe Saldaña posing with her award at the “Emilia Perez” premiere. | Source: Getty Images

The Getty Images photo shows the star, who first addressed the audience with her husband and other notable figures, then signing autographs and posing with admirers following her speech.

Zoe Saldaña signing autographs for fans at the “Emilia Perez” premiere, posted on December 3, 2024 | Source: Instagram/museocinema

“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.

Zoe Saldaña speaking during the “Emilia Perez” premiere. | Source: Getty Images

“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.

Despite the premiere being an event to celebrate Saldaña, who is also the lead actor in “Lioness,” her sons garnered the bulk of online buzz. Numerous internet users praised the children and their hair, and commented on how much they look like Zoe.
Marco Perego and Zoe Saldaña with their kids Cy, Bowie, and Zen Perego-Saldaña. | Source: Getty Images
“Wow she literally duplicated herself 3x!” exclaimed 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.”  
 
The compliments and comparisons continued. Someone else added, “Those boys all have amazing hair! And the twins are just like tiny Zoes.”
“Those kids have great hair lol,” added 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.”
Someone else agreed, saying, “Wow, beautiful kids! Gorgeous hair,” and on Instagram, a person commented, “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.
Marco Perego and Zoe Saldaña with their kids Cy, Bowie, and Zen Perego-Saldaña. | Source: Getty Images

“Her genes won by a landslide,” observed an Instagram follower. “They stole her whole face,” mentioned an observer.
“Naturally, her family would be gorgeous, inheriting it from their mother! Congrats,” remarked one fan. Another admirer, praising the whole family, commented, “Their hair is all so lovely.”

Although Saldaña and Perego’s handsome sons have occasionally been glimpsed publicly, the loving mother and father deeply value their sons’ private lives.

Saldaña discussed this topic with People magazine in 2017, during an interview at an event promoting her collaboration with All Nippon Airways of Japan.

“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 Saldaña.

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.

Saldaña 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.”

Zoe Saldaña and Marco Perego with their sons, Cy, Bowie and Zen Perego-Saldaña sharing a family moment, posted on May 13, 2024 | Source: Instagram/zoesaldana

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

Zoë Saldaña explained that parents might emphasize femininity with their daughters because society often pressures boys to be unemotional and strong. This ongoing pressure can cause men to lose touch with 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 Saldaña on the matter. Outside of respecting their privacy and raising them, Saldaña also balances being a hands-on mom with a busy work schedule.

On October 15th, Saldaña posted a message along with a sweet image of herself in her Gamora costume, playing with two children, acknowledging the difficulties of traveling while separated from her kids. She wrote, “Being on the road is hard when you’re away from your children.”

She went on to say, “This goes out to all mothers giving up everything for their goals. Remember, those goals belong to them as well! Have faith in the journey… #momlife.”