It was an emotional night at the 97th Academy Awards, as Zoe Saldaña took home her first Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Emilia Pérez. The actress, known for her work in blockbuster franchises, delivered a deeply personal and heartfelt acceptance speech that celebrated her roots, her family, and the power of dreams.
A Moment of Triumph and Tribute
Taking the stage at the Dolby Theatre, Saldaña was visibly moved as she addressed the audience, her voice filled with emotion. She immediately acknowledged her mother, calling out to her before sharing a powerful message:
“I am a proud child of immigrant parents, with dreams and dignity and hard-working hands.”
Saldaña also reflected on the significance of winning an Oscar for a Spanish-language role, expressing gratitude for the journey that led her to this moment. She paid tribute to her grandmother, who immigrated to the United States in 1961, saying:
“If she were here tonight, she would be so delighted by this.”
A Dream Fulfilled
Saldaña’s love for acting was nurtured by her grandmother, who always encouraged her aspirations. In a past interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she recalled a childhood memory of walking by Lincoln Center with her grandmother:
“She would go, ‘Look, look, look,’ while smoking her cigarette, saying, ‘One day, one day you’re going to be there.’ I remember thinking, ‘What is she saying?’”
That vision came full circle as Saldaña stood before Hollywood’s biggest names, holding the industry’s highest honor.
A Well-Deserved Victory
Saldaña was widely regarded as the frontrunner in the Best Supporting Actress race, having already won the Screen Actors Guild Award and the Golden Globe for her performance in Emilia Pérez. The film, the most nominated movie at this year’s Oscars, also received recognition in categories like Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Director.
Her fellow nominees in the category included:
• Monica Barbaro (A Complete Unknown)
• Ariana Grande (Wicked)
• Felicity Jones (The Brutalist)
• Isabella Rossellini (Conclave)
Despite the strong competition, The Hollywood Reporter had already declared after the Cannes Film Festival that “Zoe Saldaña has never been better.”
A Historic Milestone
Before leaving the stage, Saldaña made sure to emphasize the importance of her win, not just for herself but for future generations:
“I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award, and I will not be the last.”
The night, hosted by Conan O’Brien, was filled with many unforgettable moments, but Saldaña’s victory stood out as a testament to perseverance, representation, and the dreams that immigrant families pass down through generations.
