In a groundbreaking moment for representation, Zoe Saldaña claimed her first Academy Award on Sunday night, winning Best Supporting Actress for her transformative role in the Netflix crime musical Emilia Pérez, and in doing so, became the first Dominican-American actor ever to hold an Oscar.
The emotional triumph capped a stellar awards season for Saldaña, who has long been a Hollywood powerhouse but now etches her name into history.
Taking the stage to a thunderous standing ovation, Saldaña fought back tears as she thanked her family, co-stars, and, most poignantly, her heritage.
“Mami! Mami! Mami!” the 46-year-old actress called out several times when she got to the stage, noting her mother and whole family were in attendance for her big night.
“I am floored by this honor. Thank you to the Academy for recognizing the quiet heroism and the power in a woman like Rita,” she said, …and expressed gratitude to her fellow nominees for “the love and support you have given me.”
“I am a proud child of immigrant parents with dreams and dignity and hard-working hands,” Zoe Saldaña said in the emotional acceptance speech. “The fact that I’m getting an award for a role where I got to sing and speak in Spanish — my grandmother, if she were here, would’ve been so delighted.”
She continued, “I am a proud child of immigrant parents with dreams, dignity, and hard-working hands. I am the first American of Dominican origin to have accepted an Academy Award. And I know I will not be the last.”
Zoe Saldaña also received the award for Best Supporting Actress at the Golden Globes in early January, as well as at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) and the Screen Actors Guild Awards in February. At the Cannes Film Festival, Saldaña shared the best actress award with her Emilia Pérez co-stars Karla Sofía Gascón, Selena Gomez, and Adriana Paz.
Emilia Pérez topped the night with 13 Academy Award nominations, which included one for Saldaña.
Since its debut, the movie has encountered criticism for how it depicts Mexican culture and the transgender experience, which the LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD has stated is “not a good trans representation.”
The film’s chaotic Oscars campaign does not appear to have influenced Oscars voters negatively regarding Saldaña’s performance in the movie.
