Zoe Saldaña Dedicates Her Historic Best Supporting Actress Oscar To Her Grandmother In Rousing Speech

In a powerful speech after completing the sweep in the Best Supporting Actress category for this award season, Zoe Saldañasaid dedicated her award to her grandmother after making history as the first American of Dominican descent to win an Oscar.

“My grandmother came to this country in 1961, I am a proud child of immigrant parents, with dreams and dignity and hard working hands and I am first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy award and I know I will not be the last,”Saldaña said. “The fact I got an award where I got to sing and speak in spanish, my grandmother would be so delighted this is for her.”

Also competing in the category were Felicity Jones from The Brutalist, Ariana Grande from Wicked, Monica Barbaro from A Complete Unknown and Isabella Rosselini from Conclave. Saldana had dominated the award season taking home several accolades including the Golden Globe and SAG award for best supporting actress.

Saldaña went on to thank the Academy for recognizing “the quiet heroism and the power in a woman like” her character and also gave a shoutout to her director, Jacquez Audiard, for giving her the opportunity to showcase her skills with this part.

“You are forever a  beloved character in my life, thank you for taking the interest and use it for being so curious about these women to tell this story,” Saldaña said.

The Oscar marked the first win of the night for Emilia Perez after previously being nominated for 13 Oscars.