Zoe Saldana covers the July issue of InStyle. She’s wearing a Dolce & Gabbana dress (that reminds me of Chinese blue and white porcelain) and Dior jewelry. Zoe loves her D&G and stands by them no matter what (even when they say really dumb stuff). She’s not promoting anything right now except for her return to the spotlight. Zoe’s filming Star Trek 3 and has a whole slew of upcoming projects.
InStyle hasn’t released the whole interview yet, but Zoe reportedly had a ball at this shoot because it was her first one in ages. She brought her twin boys, Cy and Bowie, along for the ride. The manicurist described Zoe as someone who’s “silly” and “kept us all laughing with her awesome impressions.” This is surprising because I often feel like Zoe takes herself too seriously. There’s also a very cool excerpt making the rounds. Marco Perego decided to take Zoe’s last name when they got married!
Zoe’s story on Marco taking her name: “I tried to talk him out of it. If you use my name, you’re going to be emasculated by your community of artists, by your Latin community of men, by the world.”
Marco’s response: “Ah Zoe, I don’t give a sh*t.”
[From InStyle]
Marco sounds like an awesome guy. I admit feeling suspicious of him after watching the quickie marriage and checking out his douchey artwork. But the guy has won me over. He’s flat out adorable and seems really devoted to Zoe. He took her last name as his own, which is sweet, and I dig his nonchalant response to Zoe’s concern.
Here are some photos of Zoe in Dolce & Gabbana (again) at the Spike TV’s Guy’s Choice awards on Saturday night. Plus some photos of Marco, of course.
Photos courtesy of InStyle/Paul Maffi, Getty & WENN
I assume his blonde hair is dyed. I think he would look a lot better with it brown.
The blue and white China look is everywhere right now.
For the last couple of years there weren’t many fashion trends I liked, but the blue/white china look is something I can get behind. I hope it’s here to stay.
It’s actually called Delft print, just in case you’re looking to buy some on the internet.
Why should he be/feel emasculated? That’s so stupid of her to sprout this indoctrinated nonsense whilst pointing out all the ways she’s victimised by the system in other ways.
she wanted to build him up as this DGAF guy who is sooo different.
a lot of the stupid comments people are making about him taking her name and not being a ‘real man’ or him being ‘gay’ for doing that show that she has a point, though. You cannot say the woman doesn’t know how ignorant and bigoted people are or she’s wrong about that. It’s obvious her choice of words is about those people and doesn’t reflect her opinion.
A man taking a woman’s name is viewed as less than masculine in the same way a man was viewed if they wanted to be stay at home husbands/fathers.
A step down so to speak vs the opposite where it’s a step up for a woman.
It’s an antiquated view firmly rooted in patriarchal tradition that is inexplicably still celebrated today complete with cute celebrations and justification.
Zoe’s response to her husband taking her name shows how deeply rooted the societal indoctrination is. And it bothers her, why else bring it up? Complete with very specific fears.
For someone who positions herself as a fighter to eradicated various ‘isms’ in society, it’s ridiculous that she can’t see this one.
I bet if he sprouted the stereotypical caricature Latin view of masculinity, she’s be decrying that or even not date/marry him at all.
+1!!
The fact that “emasculation” is a negative concept *at all* says it all. Men who embrace feminine traits or adapt their identities to accommodate women? Considered weak. Even in supposedly matriarchal Latin cultures.
But the fact that even SHE references this so nonchalantly, and actively attempted to prevent him from subverting these backwards expectations…? It does definitely show that none of us escape the pressures of living in a patriarchy. She wanted to shield her husband from a fraction of the judgment that women face on a constant basis. She wanted him to hang onto his privilege… and as a woman of color, she has very real & personal reasons to want to protect her loved ones from “unnecessary” sexism and shame.
Zoe was just being considerate in that she knows how bigoted people are and was concerned about her husband and wanted him to be sure.
You guys complain too much and scrutinize every word. If her husband said he worried about her having to face racism, you’d turn that into HIM being the racist one. Zoe and her husband might be on top of certain things but this doesn’t negate them knowing that the world outside their home is full of idiots and them acknowledging that doesn’t make THEM the problem.
I think she’s just pointing out how doing that runs counter to expectations – people ARE pretty bigoted and shitty – and how easy was for her hubs to rise above it. I think it’s a nice story.
I agree. I know she can say annoying, pretentious sh*t sometimes but I feel like she can’t win with some people. Anyways, I think he’s been good for her and to her and I think they make a great couple.
Agreed, let’s not pretend it’s the year 3000 yet where everything is perfect and the patriarchy has been abolished.
She knew the reality of the choice and that it could (and still may) have consequences as far as his employment and reputation.
He still comes across as a gold digger/fame wh*re to me. Taking her last name only enforces my opinion. Also, Zoe looks great!
Kinda thought that way too.
Good for him and for her for finding a man who has no problem with that. I believe it’s very convenient for couples with children to have the same last name, but they also should choose the better sounding or easier spelled one one and not stick to the stupid, dated rule of always taking the husband’s name. Both Saldana and Perego sound nice, but I know several cases of wives switching their pretty last names for something ridiculous. We have a very elegant, traditional family name and one of my cousins switched it for her husband’s last name, which can be translated to Weiner. The children are mocked in school as predicted, but their father was too proud to even consider “emasculating” (oh how I hate this word) himself like that. For me it would be a huge red flag not to marry him. Minus points for Zoe for bringing this stupid point out in the conversation and a huge point for Marco for dismissing it.
But it’s not always about how the name sounds. I was happy to take my dh’s name because it was his, and I too wanted us all (including our then future kids) to share a last name.
But it seems odd to me to pick a last name out of the blue or not take someone’s name because it isn’t “pretty” enough. It is about familial bonds and very personal ties to family history. I have no issue with women who want to keep their names and those ties. A man taking a name for a women just seems odd, because it is unusual, but I have no argument against it.
Creating your own name though seems so disrespectful to both families that you come from. unless you had to overcome some huge adversity and are severing ties with your family I can’t see why you would want to do this.
“It is about familial bonds and very personal ties to family history.” – how is that an argument for taking a man’s name? Women have a family history and emotional connection to their names and family lines as well, so why would it seem odd for a family to take their name and not men’s? I don’t understand the reasoning beyond – because it’s something people do since the times when women had no rights. It’s XXI century – it shouldn’t still be all about men. Both spouses are equal and have equal rights in the relationship – if they want to share a name but don’t want to hyphenate and both have deep connections with their families, choosing the better sounding one is in my opinion way more fair than simply women having to compromise just because. If the husband’s name is Hammerdick and the wife’s is Davenport, I don’t see the reason why the entire family would have to share an embarrassing name instead of the better sounding one, just because it’s wife’s.
Sienna – I’m not sure where you are from, but in the United States it’s very common for people to have names that have been changed in various ways over generations for a multitude of reasons. I’m “Irish” (as in, 4th generation and absolutely no tie to Ireland), and our last name was changed/made up to “blend in” due to a lot of discrimination. My husband has a very common Italian last name, but that was also changed at least three times we know of. He also has absolutely no tie to Italy, but mother is from Norway where his closest family still resides. A very dear friend of mine’s mother insisted her husband change his last name before they were married (during a time where it was unheard of to keep a maiden name) and for good reason – it was Rape (seriously, his last name was Rape). My point is while I understand many people have a strong connection to their last name and it seems strange to adopt one or the other because one is “prettier” last names are frequently not the original. Sure, one could make the argument my last name was changed because of adversity and that should be honored, but honestly I think readopting the original and “taking it back” would be more respectful if we’re talking about keeping a connection to our ancestors. I’m a hyphenate, but that’s more so because I’ve established myself professionally as “Shannon C”, but for my future children I would like to share their last name. The funny part is that if we’re talking familial connections, my husband should carry his mother’s maiden name. But because of his father that was not an option for her, and so he has grown to only know himself as this other arbitrary name that has very little meaning to him. I applaud people who wish to make a new name. After all, most of the people I know come from families who did this very thing. It might have been to blend in at one time, and now it’s to unify a family. Different reasons, but both equally valid in my book.
@Norman Bates’ Mother-I agree with what you wrote.
@sienna- “I have no issue with women who want to keep their names and those ties. A man taking a name for a women just seems odd, because it is unusual, but I have no argument against it. ” We are so used to women taking their husbands names or deciding to keep theirs the question never comes up will the man change his name. It may be odd to some but I think it is awesome and I want more men to do it.
Also “I was happy to take my dh’s name because it was his, and I too wanted us all (including our then future kids) to share a last name.” Zoe’s kids will have her last name so they will share a bond.
@Norman Bates’ Mother (great name btw) – my argument wasn’t for always taking a man’s name. It was for taking SOMEONES name. It is the made up name that I am having trouble swallowing.
As I said above, take the woman’s name. I personally find it odd because it goes against everything I have ever seen, but that I know I should find it awesome like you and Ms Mercury. I don’t like that I feel odd about it, but I do. I am admitting my own personal fault on that one, not arguing that anyone else should go there.
Sienna – I didn’t write anything about making up names in my original comment. I don’t think it’s even a legal option in my country. My argument was only between picking husband’s name vs wife’s name.
Well having her last name will open up more doors than his old one did. So there is that.
It will also open more doors for the kids. Diana Ross’ kids all go by Ross, even though they have different fathers and different names.
That’s my 1st thought too. Her name is more known and carries better by association.
It plays better for him career-wise. Maybe it’s genuine, but it he will gain more than he loses with that move.
I’m reserving judgment. Maybe he is a nice guy.
Honestly it’s becoming harder to tell these days. KFed’s last interview made him genuinely likable. Elsa Pataky seems to be a devoted wife (I thought for sure she would ditch Thor after getting some publicity for her own gain). Ryan Reynolds seems to be a great husband this time around, to Blake of all people.
The mind boggles, yet there we are.
its mostly PR i guess. after years of gossip (sounds like grandma talking about the war) im more suspicious of people building their partners up like this in public and a guy who takes your name and tattoos your face on his body after a couple of months rings some alarm bells.
This.
He’s right, Perego is such an ugly name, yikes (forgive me if there’s any Perego reading this).
Marco Saldana sounds really cool to be honest.
I don’t know anything about that guy, but this interview makes him look good.
The response is awesome and it’s genuinely a cool thing for him to do.
I love that dress! Someone point me to the closest knockoff version!
And Meh. He took the more successful name out of the 2 of them. He uptraded last names.
I love it! I wish it happened more frequently.
I love her!!! He’s super hot too. She is one lucky lady!!!
It is pretty common in Russia for the husband to take wife’s last name if his is not as nice sounding. Basically the wife and husband pick the better last name.
On the marriage certificate application they specify whether each keeps their own name, take husband’s name or wife’s name. I see something similar going on in Europe.
Surprisingly, it is Americans who are super duper traditional and assume that the wife will take husband’s name.
Thats cool. In Mexico everyone keeps their last names, and also everyone has two surnames because the children are named with the father and mother’s first surname.
She looks great. I don’t really picture her as silly and funny either, but who knows.
I don’t know why other people care so much about stuff that doesn’t affect them in the slightest. A man takes his wife’s last name? So what?
Exactly so what? Why does the woman always have to take the husband’s last name? It is an individual choice.
Yup. If she likes it, I love it.
I don’t have a problem at all with it on a personal level, except professionally it would be an odd decision. He’s an artist. I don’t know if he’s changing it professionally, but if he’s changing it in the midst of his career to a completely different last name, I do find that odd. But he’s 36. It seems like his career would be established by now and his last name would be his identity as an established artist.
I don’t know if anyone here watches “Orphan Black” (if you don’t, you should. It’s an AMAZING show) but there is a married couple on the show called Allison and Donnie Hendrix. Allison’s character is like super type A suburban soccer mom and Donnie is like the henpecked husband. It’s a really funny dynamic as its played out on the show, but in a recent episode, Allison’s mom keeps calling Donnie “Mr. Chubs”. It turns out that Chubs was Donnies real last name and Allison insisted that Donnie take her last name. It became a comedic point for the rest of the show and it was funny the way they presented it but it’s makes me kind of sad that when women want their men to take their last name it’s kind of taken as a joke.
Also, my last name is pretty uncommon. I hated it when I was younger but I love it now. My dad and his brother only had girls. After we each get married, our family name will be no more. I asked my boyfriend if we got married if we could take my name and he was adamant that he would not. It kind of makes me sad because I want to be the one to carry on my family name and pass it on to my kids. He has a brother who can pass on his name, so it’s kind of annoying to me that he won’t take my name.
Why would you let him decide what your last name will be? Just don’t change your name and keep it and then give it to your kids?!? If he is so adamant, then you be adamant too. Stand up for yourself if it’s something important to you.
Well then just keep your last name. If he won’t take yours then you don’t need to take his.
I love Orphan Black! I’m a few weeks behind, but Tatiana is amazing in every role she plays on that show. I truly forget it’s the same actress most of the time.
I say keep your last name if you want it, your boyfriend keeps his if he wants it, and if you have kids, use both last names for them.
I was thinking of using both last names but both of our last names are super long. 11 letters for mine, 12 for his and the preferred baby names I chose are also pretty long. Maybe I’ll see about just giving our kids my last name, but most likely I’ll take his name because I want our family unit to have one name.
have you ever considered that maybe he is not the man for you? keep your name and give your children your last name. If he cannot understand why this is so important to you, maybe it’s time to realize things that mean a lot to you, he doesn’t give a crap about.
I knew my husband and I were meant for each other when I said I wanted to keep my last name and he said “if you had taken my my name, you wouldn’t be the woman I thought I was marrying”. he knew me that well and understood me enough to respect what I really wanted even when I wasn’t sure.
I kept my last name and my husband kept his. Child #1 has his last name and child #2 has mine. Works for me!
That’s neat. We actually did that with our dogs.
And my husband promised my dad our kids would have my name since my brother didn’t have any kids and DH’s brother had three. So my child has my last name.
As for us, DH didn’t want to change his own last name, which I totally understood since I felt the same way!
My first name and last name are French and I am not adopting some awful sounding Anglo Saxon last name to go with my French first name (not all Anglo Saxon last names are bad but I find most of them to be rather boring when paired with my French first name). Of course that’s assuming if I ever get married so this discussion may be pointless.
I feel like most of my friends will take their husbands’ last names which is typical. But I am not interested in changing my last name.