Zoe Saldaña recently took home the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Spanish-language musical “Emilia Pérez.” In the film, she portrays Rita, a lawyer in Mexico City who struggles to make ends meet. Rita takes a bold step by helping Emilia Pérez, played by Karla Sofía Gascón, a drug cartel boss starting a new life after gender-affirming surgery.
One of the highlights of Saldaña’s performance is the song “El Mal.” In this powerful number, Rita stands up to corrupt politicians during a gala event. The song not only showcases her talent but also won the Oscar for Best Original Song.
During her acceptance speech, Saldaña expressed gratitude for the recognition. She noted that her grandmother, who moved to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic in 1961, would be proud of her achievement. Saldaña reflected on how meaningful it was to receive the award for a role where she could sing and speak in Spanish, honoring her family’s heritage.
“Emilia Pérez” entered the award season with 13 nominations, the most for any film this year. However, its momentum faced a challenge when past racist comments from Gascón resurfaced. Following the incident, Netflix shifted its focus to highlighting Saldaña’s performance in their awards campaign.
Saldaña’s win was notable, especially as she competed against talented actresses like Monica Barbaro, Ariana Grande, Felicity Jones, and Isabella Rossellini. Her award reflects not just her incredible acting but also the depth and resilience of the character she portrayed.
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Academy Awards (Oscars),Actors and Actresses,Movies,Saldana, Zoe,Emilia Perez (Movie)