Zoe Saldana has found herself faced with the challenge of understanding Gen Alpha slang, especially the viral ‘6-7’ meme, as she reflects on pop culture highlights in 2025. The ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and ‘Emilia Pérez’ star revealed her ongoing confusion with these trending phrases, sharing her efforts to keep up while raising Gen Alpha children.
Zoe Saldana Tries to Crack the ‘6-7’ Code
Reflecting on the recent surge of internet catchphrases, Zoe Saldana, aged 47, admitted that the rise of Gen Alpha terms has piqued her curiosity in unexpected ways. When asked by PEOPLE about standout pop culture moments from the past year, Saldana singled out the popularity of ‘6-7’ as particularly perplexing.
“This whole 6-7 thing has been, oh God, an absolute anomaly,”
Saldana stated. — Zoe Saldana, Actress
Despite her confusion, she is determined to understand the slang used by the younger generation.
“I am so hyper-focused on this Gen Alpha lingo, and I’m gonna get it.”
— Zoe Saldana, Actress
Saldana, a Gen X mother raising three Gen Alpha children, has also made attempts to use other trendy expressions, such as ‘aura,’ which describes someone’s natural and effortless coolness.
“But every time I think I’m preserving my aura, that’s when I’m told I lost it,”
she joked. — Zoe Saldana, Actress
The Origins and Popularity of ‘6-7’
The phrase ‘6-7’ comes from Skrilla’s song “Doot Doot (6 7),” in which the term is repeated but never directly defined, leaving many confused about its true meaning. The meme gained further visibility when NBA star LaMelo Ball, who is 6 feet 7 inches tall, became associated with the term, sparking widespread attention and contributing to its viral spread. By October 2025, the phrase had gained so much traction that Dictionary.com named ‘6-7’ its Word of the Year, cementing its place in the evolving world of Gen Alpha slang and pop culture.
Comedic Collaborations and Adapting to New Trends
Zoe Saldana’s journey to understand the internet’s latest lingo also involves collaborating with online personalities like Druski. Together with Harvey Guillén, Saldana stars in a new T-Mobile advertisement highlighting the carrier’s 15-minute switch service. Working on the comedic commercial, Saldana credits Druski with helping her embrace improvisation and tap into her playful side.
“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 explained. — Zoe Saldana, Actress
“It’s those moments that are absolutely special, and Druski does it so beautifully.”
— Zoe Saldana, Actress
The Impact of Gen Alpha Slang on Pop Culture
The rise of terms like ‘6-7’ and the enthusiastic responses from celebrities such as Zoe Saldana highlight how Gen Alpha slang has penetrated mainstream pop culture. As these phrases go viral and become part of everyday conversations, individuals across generations are challenged to stay current and adapt—sometimes with the help of their children or co-stars. The popularity of slang not only unites different age groups around trending memes but also inspires new approaches to creativity, comedy, and self-expression in entertainment and beyond.
