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In a watershed moment for representation in Hollywood, Zoe Saldaña claimed her first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress at the 97th Oscars, becoming the first American of Dominican descent to receive this prestigious honor. Her powerful performance in "Emilia Pérez" had already earned her multiple accolades this awards season, including both Golden Globe and SAG trophies.
"My grandmother came to this country in 1961. I am a proud child of immigrant parents, with dreams and dignity and hard-working hands," declared Saldaña in her emotional acceptance speech. "I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award, and I know I will not be the last."
Saldaña's victory came against formidable competition. Fellow nominees included Felicity Jones ("The Brutalist"), Ariana Grande ("Wicked"), Monica Barbaro ("A Complete Unknown"), and Isabella Rossellini ("Conclave"), with Grande's performance generating particular support among viewers at home.
The award was presented by previous winner Da'Vine Joy Randolph during the ceremony at Los Angeles' Dolby Theater. Upon hearing her name announced, Saldaña immediately scanned the audience for her mother before taking the stage.
In her acceptance speech, Saldaña specifically highlighted the significance of winning for a role performed partly in Spanish. "The fact I got an award where I got to sing and speak in Spanish, my grandmother would be so delighted. This is for her," she said, visibly moved.
Director Jacques Audiard received special recognition from Saldaña for his vision. "You are forever a beloved character in my life," she noted. "Thank you for taking the interest and being so curious about these women to tell this story."
Despite the celebration surrounding Saldaña's achievement, social media reaction reflected divided opinions. One viewer tweeted: "Ariana Grande snubbed, Emilia Perez sweeping, Zoe Saldaña winning another award she didn't deserve." Another expressed dismay: "I cannot imagine how millions of people are laughing right in their face after the award was given to Zoe Saldaña instead of Ariana Grande."
The win represented the first of potentially many for "Emilia Pérez," which received an impressive 13 nominations, including Best Picture. The film's strong performance demonstrates growing recognition for multilingual productions and diverse storytelling in mainstream Hollywood.
