Zoe Saldaña triumphs at Oscars: Hollywood recognizes Hispanic talent

Accustomed to starring in epic, fantastical, and comic book stories (such as the "Avengers" and "Avatar" sagas or the latest "Star Trek" films), she wanted to break away from the familiar and find success in a different role and she succeeded. Zoe Saldaña, stepping into a new kind of character, has solidified her place at the top of the film industry, earning recognition at the 97th Academy Awards.

Saldaña (born in New Jersey, 1978) triumphed at the gala of the film industry's most prestigious awards, taking home the Best Supporting Actress statuette. She beat out actresses Ariana Grande, Isabella Rossellini, Monica Barbaro, and Felicity Jones. The award was a result of her captivating portrayal of lawyer Rita Mora Castro in "Emilia Perez" (2024).

When it was her turn to speak on stage at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood (Los Angeles, California), Saldaña not only thanked Hollywood for the recognition but also took the audience back to her roots, recalling the Hispanic heritage she inherited from her parents, both of whom are Dominican.

"Mommy! My mom is here!" squealed an excited Saldaña. "My grandmother came to this country in 1961. I am a proud child of immigrant parents, with dreams and dignity and hardworking hands."

To honor the Hispanic community and highlight their growing significance in the country, Saldaña proudly boasted of being "the first Dominican-American to accept an Academy Award" and stressed that she "will not be the last" to do so.

The actress concluded her speech at the Oscars with a "thank you very much" in Spanish, which got the audience out of their seats.

South America honored at the Oscars

South American talent was honored in one of the main categories of the Oscar Awards. The Brazilian production "I'm Still Here" (2024) won Best International Film, beating "The Girl with the Needle" (Denmark), "Flow" (Latvia, France and Belgium), "Emilia Perez" (France) and "The Seed of the Sacred Fig" (France and Germany).