Zoe Saldaña won her first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Emilia Pérez, marking a high point in her already impressive awards season on Sunday.
With tears in her eyes, Saldaña expressed her gratitude, saying, “Mami! Mami! My mom is here. My whole family is here. I am floored by this honor. Thank you to the Academy for recognizing the quiet heroism and the strength in a woman like Rita and for highlighting powerful women. To my fellow nominees, the love and community you’ve shared with me is a true gift, and I promise to pay it forward.”
Saldaña received the award from last year’s winner in the category, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, who praised Saldaña’s performance, saying, “You took us on a journey. One that made us question the very limits we put on ourselves. And then you showed us exactly how to break them. You are fearless, and it is so inspiring to watch.”
This Oscar win adds to Saldaña’s remarkable season, which included her first Golden Globe in January, as well as victories at the British Academy Film Awards, Critics Choice Awards, and Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Zoe Saldaña shared a heartfelt moment during her acceptance speech, saying, “My grandmother came to this country in 1961. I am a proud child of immigrant parents, with dreams, dignity, and hardworking hands.” She continued, “I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award, and I know I won’t be the last.”
Zoe Saldaña, a top contender in the category, was part of a group of actors receiving their first Oscar nominations, including Monica Barbaro for A Complete Unknown, Ariana Grande for Wicked, and Isabella Rossellini for Conclave. Felicity Jones, nominated for her role in The Brutalist, had previously been nominated in 2015.
Reflecting on her journey, Saldaña shared, “I think it’s every time I went after a role and didn’t get it. If I don’t act and don’t do my art, then who am I? It’s about realizing that it’s not just about winning. Once you let go of that, you focus on the work, day in and day out. When you do win, you appreciate it even more because you’ve valued every experience and moment that got you there.”
In Emilia Pérez, Zoe Saldaña portrayed Rita Castro, a struggling lawyer hired by a Mexican drug lord to facilitate gender-affirming surgery. The drug lord later transforms into Emilia Pérez, played by Karla Sofía Gascón, the first openly transgender actor nominated for an Oscar for her role.
Saldaña expressed how meaningful the role was to her, saying, “The fact that I’m receiving an award for a role where I got to sing and speak in Spanish, my grandmother would have been so delighted if she were here.”
Jacques Audiard’s Spanish-language narco-musical earned 13 Oscar nominations, but it stirred controversy after old offensive tweets from Gascón resurfaced, and the film also faced criticism for its portrayal of Mexican culture.
Saldaña addressed these concerns, saying, “For me, the heart of this movie was not Mexico. We weren’t making a film about a country, we were making a film about four women.” She later apologized to a Mexican journalist backstage for the film’s depiction of Mexico but clarified that she disagreed with the notion that the film was meant to focus on the country itself.
“These women are universal, but they are also struggling every day,” Saldaña said. “They’re fighting systemic oppression and trying to find their most authentic voices, so I stand with that. I’m always open to sitting down with my Mexican brothers and sisters to have a respectful, loving conversation about how Emilia Pérez could have been better.”
Saldaña’s performance, which showcased her versatility through song and dance, did not escape criticism. Some questioned whether she belonged in the supporting actress category, arguing she had more screen time than Karla Sofía Gascón.
In recent emotional acceptance speeches, Saldaña emphasized that Emilia Pérez is a film about identity and love. At the Screen Actors Guild Awards, where she won Best Supporting Actress, Saldaña shared, “I’ve never been questioned about where I come from or judged by how I speak or what my pronouns are. I believe everyone has the right to be who they are, and Emilia Pérez is about truth and love.” She continued, “As actors, now more than ever, we must tell stories that are beautiful, thought-provoking, and exist within the realm of artistic freedom.”
Saldaña, whose career spans nearly 25 years, is well-known for her iconic roles in major franchises like Star Trek as Uhura, Avatar as Neytiri, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Gamora, the green-skinned assassin turned Guardian of the Galaxy.