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In a moving moment at the 2025 Oscars, Zoe Saldaña who won for the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in 'Emilia Perez,' delivered a powerful tribute to her family's immigrant journey and the influential women in her life.
Presented the award by last year’s winner, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Saldaña's speech resonated with heartfelt gratitude and a promise to continue the legacy of strength and resilience exemplified by the women she portrayed on screen and those in her personal life.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph praised Saldaña's performance, saying:
"My dear, 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. Five breathtaking performances, five brilliant women, each one of them so deserving."
Her victory marks a milestone as the first American of Dominican origin to win an Academy Award, making the night an unforgettable celebration of cultural heritage and female empowerment.
Read Zoe Saldaña's full speech:
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 me is a true gift and I will pay it forward. Thank you so much. Jaco Dillard, you are forever a beloved character in my life.
Thank you for taking an interest. Thank you for being so curious about these women to tell this story to my cast and my crew of Emilia Perez. I'm sharing this award with you, Netflix, Ted, Lisa, Bella, Why Not Productions, YSL, thank you for your support.
To my kick-ass team at CAA, my amazing managers and lawyers and the powerful ladies of the lead company, for your guidance, and thank you for always answering my emails late at night.
To my mom, my dad, and my sisters, Marlene and Cecilie. Everything brave, outrageous and good that I've ever done in my life is because of you.
Thank you so much. And to my husband with that beautiful hair, you're just... The biggest honor in my life is being your partner. You hold the moon and our beautiful, perfect sons, Sai, Bowie, and Zen.
My grandmother came to this country in 1961. I am a proud child of immigrant parents. The first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award and I know I will not be the last.
The fact that I'm 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.This is for my grandmother. Thank you so much. Muchas gracias.