(CNN) — Although her grandmother wasn’t there to see it, Zoe Saldaña devoted her first Oscar to the late matriarch.
Saldaña honored her grandmother whereas accepting her award for greatest supporting actress for her function in “Emilia Pérez” on the 97th Annual Academy Awards on Sunday.
“My grandmother got here to this nation in 1961,” Saldaña stated. “The truth that I’m getting an award for a task the place I bought to sing and communicate in Spanish — my grandmother, if she had been right here, she can be so delighted.”
She additionally stated she’s the primary American actor of Dominican descent to win an Oscar, however that she gained’t be the final.
“I’m a proud baby of immigrant mother and father with desires and dignity and hardworking arms,” she stated to rousing applause from the viewers.
Saldaña has already gained a number of awards for her efficiency as Rita, a lawyer who helps the eponymous character pretend her personal demise earlier than transitioning. This was Saldaña’s first Oscar nomination and win.
“Emilia Pérez” earned 13 Oscar nominations, although its marketing campaign was marred when offensive tweets from greatest actress nominee Karla Sofia Gascón resurfaced earlier this 12 months. Saldaña beforehand stated she was “very unhappy” and “disillusioned” by Gascón’s feedback.
Saldaña’s full speech follows beneath.
Mami! Mami! My mother is right here. My entire household’s right here. I’m floored by this honor. Thanks to the Academy for recognizing the quiet heroism and the facility in a lady like Rita. And speaking about highly effective girls, my fellow nominees – the love and group that you’ve supplied me is a real reward and I’ll pay it ahead. Thanks a lot.
Jacques Audiard, you’re eternally a beloved character in my life. Thanks for taking the curiosity; thanks for being so interested in these girls, to inform this story.
To my forged and my crew of “Emilia Perez,” I’m sharing this award with you. Netflix, Ted (Sarandos), Lisa (Taback), Bela (Bajaria), Why Not Productions, YSL, thanks to your assist. To my kickass group at CAA, my superb managers and attorneys, and the highly effective women of the Lede Firm, thanks to your steering, and thanks for at all times, at all times answering my emails late night time.
To my mother and my dad, and to my sisters Mariel and Cisely — every little thing courageous, outrageous and good that I’ve ever accomplished in my life is due to you. Thanks a lot.
And to my husband, with that lovely hair. The most important honor of my life is being your accomplice. You hung the moon in our lovely, good sons – Cy, Bowie and Zen. They fill our skies each night time with stars.
My grandmother got here to this nation in 1961. I’m a proud baby of immigrant mother and father with desires and dignity and hardworking arms. And I’m the primary American of Dominican origin to just accept an Academy Award, and I do know I cannot be the final. I hope the truth that I’m getting an award for a task the place I bought to sing and communicate in Spanish — my grandmother, if she had been right here, she can be so delighted. That is for my grandmother. Thanks a lot! Muchas gracias.
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