Zoe Saldaña secured the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "Emilia Pérez" during the Oscars ceremony on Sunday, further solidifying her recognition in the film industry. Saldaña’s victory followed her wins at the Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Screen Actors Guild awards, making her win at the Oscars widely anticipated. She triumphed over nominees including Monica Barbaro, Ariana Grande, Felicity Jones, and Isabella Rossellini.
In her acceptance speech, Saldaña expressed gratitude toward her husband, Marco Perego, and acknowledged her Dominican heritage. She highlighted her role's significance, stating, “I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award, and I know I will not be the last.” She dedicated her award to her grandmother, emphasizing the cultural importance of her performance, which included singing and speaking in Spanish.
"Emilia Pérez," a Spanish-language musical thriller, attracted attention after its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, with Netflix acquiring it for $12 million. The film focuses on a cartel leader who collaborates with an attorney, played by Saldaña, to fake her death for gender affirmation surgery. Despite receiving positive reviews, the film faced criticism in Mexico for its portrayal of cartel violence and was labeled as lacking in authentic transgender representation by advocacy groups.
The film garnered 13 Academy Award nominations, including a historic Best Actress nomination for Karla Sofía Gascón, the first openly transgender woman nominated in that category. However, Gascón's involvement sparked controversy when she accused another nominee's team of disparaging "Emilia Pérez," leading to scrutiny over campaign practices. Additionally, past controversial social media posts from Gascón resurfaced, prompting Netflix to remove her from the film's promotional campaign.