Zoe Saldaña made a robust assertion in celebration of immigrants throughout the Oscars on the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Sunday.
“I am a proud child of immigrant parents, with dreams and dignity and hardworking hands,” she mentioned by tears whereas accepting the award for supporting actress. “And I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award, and I know I will not be the last.”
The “Emilia Pérez” actor received for taking part in Rita, an overworked lawyer who’s requested to assist a Mexican cartel boss bear gender transition. The French-produced, Netflix-distributed musical thriller led the Oscar nominations with 13 nods.
Learn her full speech under:
My mother is right here, my complete household’s right here. I’m floored by this honor. Thanks to the academy for recognizing the quiet heroism and the facility in a girl like Rita. And speaking about highly effective girls — my fellow nominees, the love and group that you’ve got supplied me is a real reward, and I’ll pay it ahead. Thanks a lot.
Jacques Audiard, you might be perpetually a beloved character in my life. Thanks for taking the curiosity. Thanks for being so interested by these girls to inform this story. To my solid and my crew of “Emilia Pérez,” I’m sharing this award with you. Netflix, Ted [Sarandos], Lisa, Bela [Bajaria], Why Not Productions, YSL, thanks in your help.
To my mother, my dad and my sisters, Mariel and Cisely, the whole lot courageous, outrageous and good that I’ve ever executed in my life is due to you. Thanks a lot.
And to my husband with that lovely hair — what? The largest honor in my life is being your associate. You hung the moon. And our stunning, excellent sons — Cy, Bowen and Zen — they fill our skies each evening with stars.
My grandmother got here to this nation in 1961. I’m a proud little one of immigrant mother and father, with desires and dignity and hardworking fingers. And I’m the primary American of Dominican origin to simply accept an Academy Award, and I do know I cannot be the final.
I maintain the truth that I’m getting an award to a task the place I obtained to sing and converse in Spanish — my grandmother, if she had been right here, she can be so delighted. This for my grandmother, Argentina Cesse. Thanks a lot. Muchas gracias.
