Zoe Saldana scoops Best Supporting Actress for Spanish language musical Emilia Perez

The role saw her play a lawyer who helps a Mexican drug lord change gender

American actress Zoe Saldana declared she is a “proud child of immigrant parents” as she gave a tearful acceptance speech after winning the best supporting actress Oscar.

Saldana, 46, was named the winner in the category over stars including Ariana Grande, Felicity Jones, Monica Barbaro and Italian stalwart Isabella Rossellini.

She won the Oscar, her first, for her role in Netflix’s Spanish-language film Emilia Perez, in which she plays a lawyer called Rita, who helps a Mexican drug lord change gender.

Taking to the stage, Saldana was emotional as she shouted out “mummy”, saying her “whole family is here”, and adding that “everything brave, outrageous and good in my life was because of you”.

She also thanked the film’s French director Jacques Audiard for “being so curious about these women to tell these stories”, and added that the prize was for the cast of the film.

“My grandmother came to this country in 1961, I am a proud child of immigrant parents…” she said.

Published: 03/03/2025 by Radio NewsHub