Zoe Saldaña won her first Academy Award on Sunday, taking home the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her powerful performance in Emilia Pérez. The win caps off a dominant awards season sweep, with Saldaña also winning at the Golden Globes, BAFTAs, Critics Choice Awards, and SAG Awards. In her emotional speech, Saldaña celebrated her Dominican heritage, honored her immigrant roots, and defended Emilia Pérez amid ongoing controversy surrounding the film.
“I am a proud child of immigrant parents. With dreams and dignity and hard-working hands. I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award, and I know I will not be the last.”
Zoe Saldaña’s Oscar Win – Quick Look
- Best Supporting Actress Winner: Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez)
- Other Nominees:
- Monica Barbaro (A Complete Unknown)
- Ariana Grande (Wicked)
- Isabella Rossellini (Conclave)
- Felicity Jones (The Brutalist)
- Film: Emilia Pérez—a Spanish-language musical crime drama directed by Jacques Audiard
- Significance of the Win:
- First Oscar win for Saldaña, a veteran of blockbuster franchises (Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Trek)
- First Dominican-American woman to win an Academy Award
- Won every major award this season
Zoe Saldaña’s Oscar-Winning Role in ‘Emilia Pérez’
A Performance That Stole the Spotlight
In Emilia Pérez, Saldaña plays Rita Castro, a struggling lawyer hired by a Mexican drug lord to help facilitate gender-affirming surgery. That drug lord transitions to Emilia Pérez, played by Karla Sofía Gascón, the first openly transgender Oscar nominee.
Saldaña’s raw and layered performance as Rita, navigating moral dilemmas and personal transformation, made her an early favorite in the category. She embraced the role’s musical and dramatic challenges, proving her range as both an actress and singer.
“The fact that I am getting an award for a role where I got to sing and speak in Spanish—my grandmother would be so delighted.”
A Season of Triumph and Controversy
The Awards Sweep
- Saldaña’s dominance on the awards circuit made her a frontrunner heading into the Oscars. She won at:
- Golden Globes
- BAFTA Awards
- Critics Choice Awards
- SAG Awards
However, her Oscar win was not without debate. Some critics argued she was misplaced in the Supporting Actress category, citing her significant screen time in Emilia Pérez.
Addressing Controversy Around ‘Emilia Pérez’
The film, despite earning 13 nominations, faced backlash over its depiction of Mexican culture and the resurfacing of offensive tweets from Gascón. Some also criticized the film’s handling of gender identity themes.
Backstage, Saldaña acknowledged the criticism but defended the film:
“We weren’t making a film about a country—we were making a film about four women. These are universal women struggling against systemic oppression.”
She also extended an olive branch to Mexican audiences, saying she was open to discussions on how the film could have been better.
A Groundbreaking Win for Representation
Saldaña’s Historic Moment
With this win, Saldaña became the first Dominican-American to win an Oscar and one of the few Afro-Latina actresses to take home Hollywood’s top prize.
Her speech was a love letter to immigrants and Latin American communities:
“My grandmother came to this country in 1961. I am a proud child of immigrant parents. And I know I will not be the last.”
Her win is expected to pave the way for more Latina and Afro-Latina representation in Hollywood.
From Blockbusters to Oscar Glory
A Career Spanning 25 Years
Before Emilia Pérez, Saldaña was best known for starring in three of the highest-grossing franchises in history:
- Gamora in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy series
- Neytiri in James Cameron’s Avatar films
- Uhura in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek reboot
Despite her blockbuster success, she had never received major acting awards recognition—until now.
What’s Next for Zoe Saldaña?
With an Oscar in hand, Saldaña’s career is set to expand beyond action franchises. She has already lined up:
- A leading role in a new drama by Oscar-winning director Alejandro G. Iñárritu
- A return to musical roles after proving her vocal talent in Emilia Pérez
- More Latin American-focused projects advocating for diversity in Hollywood
Final Thoughts
Zoe Saldaña’s Oscar win for Emilia Pérez is a historic moment for Latina representation in Hollywood. After decades of success in blockbuster franchises, she has finally been recognized for her dramatic depth and versatility.
With this milestone, Saldaña joins the ranks of Latina Oscar winners and sets the stage for an exciting new chapter in her career.
What’s next for Zoe Saldaña?
- Will she pursue more dramatic roles following her first Oscar win?
- Could she become a double Oscar winner in the future?
- Will Hollywood finally create more leading roles for Latina actresses?
Whatever comes next, Zoe Saldaña’s Oscar victory is a game-changer.
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