Zoe Saldana is no stranger to transformation. Over the years, she’s slipped into the blue skin of Neytiri in James Cameron’s epic Avatar films, donned the green of Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy, and even clinched an Oscar for her role in Emilia Pérez. But her latest challenge is a little closer to home—and a lot more cryptic. On December 29, 2025, Saldana revealed that her next big priority isn’t a blockbuster role or a grueling stunt routine. Instead, she’s determined to master the ever-evolving slang of Generation Alpha, the cohort of kids born from 2010 onwards, who are now shaping culture at a dizzying pace.
“This whole 6-7 thing has been, oh God, an absolute anomaly,” Saldana told People, referring to the viral catchphrase that’s swept across social media in 2025. She wasn’t exaggerating. The phrase “6-7”—which exploded in popularity after Skrilla’s song Doot Doot (6 7) hit the internet—became the year’s defining meme, repeated endlessly in TikTok videos and Instagram captions, and even crowned Word of the Year by Dictionary.com in October. The phrase itself? It’s a riddle, with no clear meaning, though NBA star LaMelo Ball’s height (6 feet, 7 inches) helped fuel its mystique. For Saldana, who’s 47 and raising three Gen Alpha kids—10-year-old twins Cy and Bowie and 9-year-old Zen—the meme is both a cultural puzzle and a family affair.
“I am just so hyper-focused on this Gen Alpha lingo, and I’m gonna get it,” she declared, a mix of determination and amusement in her voice. Saldana isn’t alone in her quest. As she explained to Cinema Express and People, the rapid-fire evolution of slang in the digital age is like a “whole new code.” She credits platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat for birthing and spreading these terms at lightning speed. “If TikTok didn’t exist, I don’t know how half of these words would even be born. It’s an absolute anomaly,” she said, echoing the bewilderment of many parents and public figures trying to keep up.
But Saldana’s interest goes beyond simply “looking cool.” She sees language as a window into her children’s world—and, by extension, the future of pop culture. “I want to understand the world they’re growing up in. It’s not just slang—it’s their lens on life,” she told People. For her, decoding Gen Alpha’s language is about connection: with her kids, her fans, and a generation that’s rewriting the rules of communication in real time.
Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing. Saldana admits she often turns to her younger friends—or just scrolls endlessly through social media—hoping to catch the latest phrase before it fades into obscurity. “It’s a learning curve, but I love it,” she laughed. “Sometimes I’ll catch a word and think, Wow, that’s brilliant. Other times, I have no idea what I just heard.” One term she’s tried to adopt is “aura,” Gen Alpha’s shorthand for someone’s innate cool factor. But as she put it, “Every time I think that I’m preserving my aura, that’s when I’m told that I lost it.” If that’s not a universal parent moment, what is?
Saldana’s openness about her linguistic journey has struck a chord with fans and commentators alike. Many have praised her willingness to engage with youth culture, rather than dismiss it as a passing fad. Her approach, some say, reflects a broader shift among celebrities who are eager to bridge generational divides—no easy feat in an age when memes and slang can go viral and vanish within days.
Her efforts to stay relevant aren’t just about personal growth—they’re also professional. Saldana recently starred alongside internet personality Druski and actor Harvey Guillén in a new T-Mobile ad campaign, which leans heavily on improvisational humor and, naturally, internet lingo. “If I lean heavily and solely on the lines, then I leave very little space for improvisation or catching anything that may occur that is not even planned,” she told People. “It’s those moments that are absolutely special, and Druski does it so beautifully.” The ad, which highlights T-Mobile’s 15-minute carrier switch experience, gave Saldana a chance to flex her comedic muscles—and, perhaps, pick up a few more Gen Alpha phrases along the way.
All this comes on the heels of a banner year for Saldana. In 2025, she took home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Emilia Pérez, cementing her status as one of Hollywood’s most versatile and acclaimed stars. She also reprised her iconic role as Neytiri in James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third installment in the blockbuster franchise. Looking ahead, she’s executive producing and starring in The Bluff, a swashbuckler action drama directed by Frank E Flowers, featuring a star-studded cast including Priyanka Chopra, Karl Urban, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Safia Oakley-Green, and Temuera Morrison. The film, currently in post-production, promises to deliver high-seas adventure with Saldana at the helm. On the television front, she continues to lead the cast of Lioness, further expanding her already impressive résumé.
If all that weren’t enough, Saldana is also navigating the ever-shifting landscape of family life with three Gen Alpha children at home. Their influence is clear—not just in the slang she’s trying to master, but in the perspective she brings to her work and public persona. “Being conversant with Gen Alpha slang isn’t merely about ‘looking cool,’ but about connecting more meaningfully with younger fans and understanding where culture is heading next,” she explained. It’s a sentiment that resonates with parents and pop culture observers alike: in a world where language is constantly in flux, staying curious—and a little bit humble—might be the ultimate cool factor.
For Saldana, the journey to “get” Gen Alpha slang isn’t about chasing trends for their own sake. It’s about recognizing that language is living, breathing, and always on the move—much like her own career. Whether she’s deciphering the latest meme, improvising with comedy stars, or commanding the screen in blockbuster films, Saldana remains as adaptable as ever. As she puts it, “I am so hyper-focused on this Gen Alpha lingo, and I’m gonna get it.” If anyone can crack the code, it just might be her.
In the end, Zoe Saldana’s quest to master Gen Alpha slang is more than a celebrity’s attempt to stay relevant—it’s a testament to the power of language, connection, and the ever-present drive to understand the next generation. And who knows? Maybe “6-7” will make sense to all of us, eventually.
