Zoe Saldaña Becomes First Dominican-American Oscar Winner at 2025 Ceremony

At the 2025 Oscars, Zoe Saldaña won the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in 'Emilia Pérez,' becoming the first American of Dominican origin to achieve this honor. In her emotional acceptance speech, she paid tribute to her family's immigrant journey, highlighting the influence of her grandmother and expressing pride in her heritage. Saldaña thanked the Academy for recognizing the strength of her character, Rita, and acknowledged the support of her cast and crew, alongside heartfelt acknowledgments to her family. She emphasized her pride as a child of immigrant parents and expressed hope that she would not be the last Dominican-American to win an Oscar. Saldaña's victory reflects a significant milestone for representation in Hollywood, particularly for Latina actresses. Her performance in 'Emilia Pérez' has garnered multiple accolades this awards season, including a BAFTA and Golden Globe.