In a triumphant conclusion to an already remarkable awards season, Zoe Saldaña received her inaugural Oscar as best supporting actress for her role in “Emilia Pérez,” during Sunday’s Academy Awards ceremony. Shining with emotion, Saldaña expressed her gratitude, stating, “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 power in a woman like Rita and talking about powerful women. My fellow nominees, the love and community that you have offered to me is a true gift, and I will pay it forward.”
Saldaña’s award was presented by Da’Vine Joy Randolph, the category’s previous winner, who praised Saldaña for her fearless and inspiring performance. This Oscar win continues a streak of accolades for Saldaña, who has also been honored with a Golden Globe, along with victories at the British Academy Film Awards, the Critics Choice Awards, and the Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Reflecting on her heritage, Saldaña remarked, “My grandmother came to this country in 1961. I am a proud child of immigrant parents. With dreams and dignity and hard-working hands. And I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award. And I know I will not be the last.”
In a category abundant with first-time nominees, including Monica Barbaro for “A Complete Unknown,” Ariana Grande in “Wicked,” and Isabella Rossellini for “Conclave,” Saldaña was the frontrunner. Felicity Jones, also nominated this year for “The Brutalist,” received her second career Oscar nod.
Backstage, Saldaña reflected on the challenges of her career, noting, “I think it’s every time I went after a part and didn’t get it. If I don’t act and if I don’t do my art then who am I? It’s about realizing that it’s not about the win. When you learn to let that go, it is about the work day in and day out, the day that you do win, you just have a deeper appreciation for it and you feel that you have appreciated every experience and every moment that has led you here.”
In the film “Emilia Pérez,” Saldaña portrayed Rita Castro, a struggling lawyer working with a Mexican drug lord to facilitate gender-affirming surgery. The role of Emilia Pérez, portrayed by Oscar nominee Karla Sofía Gascón, marks the first nomination for an openly transgender actor. “The fact that I am getting an award for a role where I got to sing and speak in Spanish, my grandmother, if she were here, she would be so delighted,” Saldaña shared.
Jacques Audiard’s Spanish-language narco-musical “Emilia Pérez” secured 13 nominations amidst controversy stemming from prior offensive tweets by Gascón, as well as criticism of its depiction of Mexican culture. However, Saldaña emphasized the film’s focus, 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.”
While apologizing to a Mexican journalist backstage for the portrayal of Mexico, Saldaña clarified that the story was intended to resonate universally with its focus on women overcoming systemic oppression. She expressed her willingness to engage in constructive discussions on how the film could have been improved.
Despite some criticisms regarding category placement, Saldaña’s role in “Emilia Pérez” showcased her diverse talents in song and dance. Throughout awards season, she has highlighted the film’s themes of identity and love.
In a speech at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, Saldaña affirmed, “I’ve never been questioned about where I come from or judged by how I speak or what my pronouns are. I believe that everybody has the right to be who they are and ‘Emilia Perez’ is about truth and is about love.” She urged fellow actors to embrace storytelling that challenges norms while promoting art and freedom.
Saldaña’s illustrious career, spanning nearly 25 years, includes roles in iconic franchises like “Star Trek,” “Avatar,” and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where she has delivered performances that captivated audiences worldwide.
