Zoe Saldaña’s Emotional Oscar Win: A Historic Moment for Dominican Representation
Zoe Saldaña won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as a cartel leader’s attorney in Jacques Audiard‘s Emilia Pérez, delivering a heartfelt speech honoring her cast, crew, and family.
Saldaña expressed gratitude to the Emilia Pérez team, saying:
“Thank you to the Academy for recognizing the quiet heroism and strength in a woman like Rita. Jacques, you are a cherished figure in my life—thank you for your curiosity and for telling these women’s stories. To my cast and crew, I share this award with you.”
A Powerful Tribute to Family and Heritage
Fighting back tears, Saldaña paid tribute to her grandmother and her immigrant roots:
“My grandmother came to this country in 1961—I am a proud child of immigrant parents. With dreams, dignity, and hard-working hands, I stand here as the first American of Dominican descent to win an Academy Award. And I know I will not be the last. The fact that I am receiving this honor for a role where I got to sing and speak in Spanish—my grandmother would have been so delighted. This is for her.”
Zoe Saldaña’s Award-Winning Streak
Her Oscar win follows a remarkable awards season, where she also earned the SAG Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe, and Critics Choice Award for Emilia Pérez. The film, which led the Oscars 2024 with 13 nominations, faced challenges throughout the season, including controversy surrounding co-star Karla Sofia Gascón‘s past tweets and director Jacques Audiard’s remarks about Spanish as a “language of poor people and migrants.”
Beating Strong Contenders for the Oscar Win
In the Best Supporting Actress category, Saldaña triumphed over:
- Monica Barbaro (A Complete Unknown)
- Isabella Rossellini (Conclave)
- Felicity Jones (The Brutalist)
- Ariana Grande (Wicked)
Saldaña’s Legacy in Hollywood
Known for starring in some of the highest-grossing films of all time—Avatar, Avatar: The Way of Water, and Avengers: Endgame—Saldaña continues to make waves in Hollywood. She currently stars in Paramount+‘s action series Lioness, earning an NAACP Image Award nomination.
