Zoe Saldaña has received her first Oscar, taking residence the Academy Award for Greatest Supporting Actress in Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Pérez.
The musical a couple of transgender Mexican cartel chief (Karla Sofía Gascón) has been a controversial participant this awards season. Upon launch, it garnered backlash from trans viewers and Mexican viewers alike, but that did not cease it from selecting up 10 Golden Globe nominations (successful 4) and 13 Oscar nominations. A brand new wave of controversy hit the movie when outdated, racist tweets from Gascón resurfaced, main Emilia Pérez distributor Netflix to distance themselves from the movie’s lead within the hopes of salvaging the awards marketing campaign.
Regardless of all of the controversy, Saldaña managed to brush 2025’s main awards for her position as lawyer Rita. Along with the Academy Award, she picked up a BAFTA, a Critics Alternative Award, a Golden Globe, and a SAG Award. She received over fellow Oscar nominees Monica Barbaro (A Full Unknown), Ariana Grande (Depraved), Felicity Jones (The Brutalist), and Isabella Rossellini (Conclave).
Mashable High Tales
Whereas Saldaña thanked Audiard in her Oscars speech, she notably shied away from mentioning Gascón, together with fellow co-star Selena Gomez. As an alternative, she gave a heartfelt tribute to her household.
“My grandmother came to this country in 1961,” Saldaña stated. “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. 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.”
