Zoe Saldaña make history on Oscar When she won the best supporting actress for her role as Mexican lawyer Rita Castro at “Emilia Pérez.”
Saldaña is the third Latina in the history of Oscar who won the best supporting actress – and the first won an award for roles other than Anita in “West Side Story.”
Zoe Saldana received an award for the best actress in the supporting role for “Emilia Perez” on the stage during the 97th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theater in Hollywood, California, on March 2, 2025.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP Via Getty Images
Saldaña was the first American who came from Dominica to win the best supporting actress.
“I know I won’t be the last,” Saldaña said in his acceptance speech.
In an emotional moment, when Saldaña went up to the stage, he looked for it MamaAnd then waved to him through tears.
Saldaña dedicated her victory to her grandmother.
“My grandmother came to this country in 1961,” he said. “I am a proud child of immigrant parents, with dreams and dignity and hardworking.”
“The fact that I get an award for a role where I have to sing and speak in Spanish – my grandmother, if he is here, he will be very happy,” said Saldaña.
Another nomination for supporting actresses is Monica Barbaro for “A unknown A,” Ariana Grande for “Wicked,” Felicity Jones for “The Brutalis” and Isabella Rossellini for “Concluctive.”