By: Amit kumaR Agarwal
Zoe Saldaña, best known to Indians as the 'Avatar heroine' fought back tears as she gave her acceptance speech at the Academy Awards 2025.
Zoe won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Pérez,” in which she played her role as an attorney for a cartel leader very deftly leaving an indelible impression on the audiences worldwide.
She paid tribute to the cast and crew of the movie together with her family in an emotionally moving speech. Saldaña said - Thank you to the Academy, for recognizing the quiet heroism and the power in a woman like Rita, and talking about powerful women. Jacques, you are a beloved character in my life. Thank you for taking the interest. Thank you for being so curious about these women to tell this story. To my cast and my crew of ‘Emilia Perez,’ I’m sharing this award with you.
Saldaña then gave the attendees at the ceremony, listening to her in rapt attention - about her family and her grandmother - my grandmother came to this country in 1961 - I am a proud child of immigrant parents. Saldaña also brought to fore the fact that she is the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award, "and I know I will not be the last. I hope."
Saldaña wrapped up her speech saying that - the fact that she is getting the award for a role where she got to sing and speak in Spanish, her grandmother would be so delighted. She dedicated the award to her late grandmother.