Latinas in Hollywood: Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, Karla Sofía Gascón feted at Netflix event

LOS ANGELES — Champagne, margaritas and carajillos were flowing as dozens of leading Latinas in Hollywood gave a toast to the powerhouse trio of Netflix's "Emilia Pérez": Zoe Saldaña, Karla Sofía Gascón and Selena Gomez.

On Saturday evening, Netflix and ELLE Magazine hosted their second celebration of Latinas in Hollywood event with a cocktail hour and a screening of "Emilia," followed by a Q&A. Ahead of the screening, actresses floated across the patio area outside of Netflix's Tudum Theater posing for photos, catching up with familiar faces and huddling under outdoor heaters during a rare chilly LA night.

In toasting the cast of "Emilia," ELLE Editor-in-Chief Nina García also acknowledged the diverse group of women in attendance, who have each used their platform to bring nuanced Latino stories to life onscreen.

Karla Sofía Gascón interview: Why this 'Emilia Pérez' star could make history.

"You all bring such an incredible range of backgrounds and special talents, but I also see our unity and our unity is so important now, more than ever," said García during the event. "That is very clear in the way we've come together to support each other, and in particular, to support the incredible cast of 'Emilia Pérez.'"

Attendees then swapped their glass of champagne for a popcorn bucket to go on the wild cinematic ride that is "Emilia," a film that follows a Mexican drug lord (Gascón) who undergoes gender affirmation surgery. As USA TODAY's movie critic Brian Truitt writes, "In just over two hours, there's pretty much everything: noir crime thriller, thought-provoking redemption tale, deep character study, comedic melodrama and, yes, even a go-for-broke movie musical."

The Q&A portion of the night featured a panel comprised of "Emilia" director Jacques Audiard, Saldaña, Gascón and Gomez, along with the film's costume designer and composers. Saldaña and Gomez spoke about the nuanced characters they portray in the film and their yearning to play more roles that encompass their full identities as Latina women.

"Genuinely, I was craving a role and this kind of opportunity to be able to channel a part of my culture and my history and my background. … It meant a lot more to me in that manner," Gomez said.

Saldaña felt similarly: "Until one day, you're making art and you feel like your art just feels incomplete because you're not putting so much of yourself into it."

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Other attendees from the night included Christina Milian ("Meet Me Next Christmas"), Karla Souza ("Technoboys"), Jessica Marie Garcia ("On My Block"), Mayan Lopez ("Lopez vs. Lopez"), Yaya DaCosta ("The Lincoln Lawyer"), Annie Gonzalez ("Flamin' Hot"), Victoria Justice ("Depravity"), Natalie Morales ("No Hard Feelings") and Grammy-nominated Mexican singer Carla Morrison.

Selena Gomez and Karla Sofía Gascón

In a recent interview with USA TODAY, Gascón reflected on the possibility of making Oscars history as the first transgender woman to be nominated for best actress.

"It would be absolutely wonderful and a real source of pride," said Gascón, with the help of a translator. "But honestly, if it doesn't happen, it's not a big deal. The biggest prize for me has been this connectedness I've gotten to feel with the audience. The Latino community has really united around me, and for my fellow actors coming up, I hope I can give them hope."

Zoe Saldaña, Karla Sofía Gascón and Selena Gomez

Zoe Saldaña

Zoe Saldaña, Nina García, Selena Gomez and Karla Sofía Gascón

Selena Gomez

Christina Milian

Olga Segura, Karla Sofía Gascón and Karla Souza

Jessica Marie Garcia and Annie Gonzalez

Victoria Justice and Madison Reed

Olga Segura, Carla Morrison and María Gabriela de Faría

Aimee Carrero

Natalie Morales

Stephanie Beatriz

Mayan Lopez

Yaya DaCosta

"Emilia Pérez" is now streaming on Netflix.

Contributing: Patrick Ryan and Brian Truitt, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Netflix toasts to 'Emilia Perez' stars Selena Gomez, Zoe Saldana, more