Zoe Saldaña has won her first Oscar, taking home the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in Jacques Audiard's Emilia Pérez.
The musical about a transgender Mexican cartel leader (Karla Sofía Gascón) has been a controversial player this awards season. Upon release, it garnered backlash from trans viewers and Mexican viewers alike, yet that didn't stop it from picking up 10 Golden Globe nominations (winning four) and 13 Oscar nominations. A new wave of controversy hit the film when old, racist tweets from Gascón resurfaced, leading Emilia Pérez distributor Netflix to distance themselves from the film's lead in the hopes of salvaging the awards campaign.
Despite all the controversy, Saldaña managed to sweep 2025's major awards for her role as lawyer Rita. In addition to the Academy Award, she picked up a BAFTA, a Critics Choice Award, a Golden Globe, and a SAG Award. She won over fellow Oscar nominees Monica Barbaro (A Complete Unknown), Ariana Grande (Wicked), Felicity Jones (The Brutalist), and Isabella Rossellini (Conclave).
While Saldaña thanked Audiard in her Oscars speech, she notably shied away from mentioning Gascón, along with fellow co-star Selena Gomez. Instead, she gave a heartfelt tribute to her family.
"My grandmother came to this country in 1961," Saldaña said. "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."
