Zoe Saldaña, prominent among Time magazine's 100 most influential people of 2026

New York.- Actress Zoe Saldaña, of Dominican and Puerto Rican origin, was recognized this Wednesday by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people of 2026 and is among the four personalities featured on its cover, in an edition that underlines her impact on global cinema and her status as the highest-grossing actress in history. Director James Cameron, author of the text dedicated to the interpreter, highlights that Saldaña, Oscar winner, has starred in films with a combined gross of more than any other actor and emphasizes both her versatility and her pride in her Afro-Latina roots and her influence on and off screen.

Zoe Saldaña, a Contemporary Film Icon

The filmmaker also highlights his ability to "build iconic characters that have marked several generations of viewers," such as the warrior Neytiri in the 'Avatar' saga or the lethal Gamora in the Marvel universe. According to Cameron, these interpretations have made Saldaña "a central figure in contemporary cinema, capable of navigating between emotional vulnerability and physical strength with great naturalness." Time also underscores his role as one of the most influential figures in global entertainment, not only for his box office success, but for his constant presence in some of Hollywood's most important franchises, such as 'Star Trek', 'Guardians of the Galaxy' or 'Emilia Pérez', a film with which he won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Saldaña also has recognition "for her commitment to stories centered on complex female characters and for her interest in expanding her career towards production, writing, and directing".

Other Influential People Recognized by Time

The magazine also highlighted the president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, as one of the 100 most influential people of the year, a list in which she is the only Latin American leader and shares the 'Leaders' category with her American counterpart, Donald Trump. Also on the list are Puerto Rican actor Benicio del Toro in the Artists category; Peruvian activist Mari Luz Canaquiri Murayari and Brazilian researcher Luciano Moreira among the Innovators. Puerto Rican singer Rauw Alejandro and American activist Kica Matos in Icons; U.S. Senator Marco Rubio and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi also share in Leaders; and American Chicana activist Dolores Huerta in the Pioneers category.