Zoe Saldaña Thanks Dominican Immigrant Parents & Husband’s ‘Beautiful Hair’ In Emotional Oscars Speech

Zoe Saldaña was overcome with emotion as she accepted the Best Supporting Actress award at the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday night. The Emilia Pérez star, 46, delivered a heartfelt tribute to her family, her immigrant roots, and, of course, her husband’s enviable locks.

Before launching into her speech, Saldaña repeatedly called out to her mother in the audience.

“Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!” she cried, tearing up as she spotted her. Waving with one hand and clutching her golden statue with the other, she continued, “My mom is here. My whole family is here.”

Saldaña, visibly moved, thanked the Academy and acknowledged her fellow nominees—Ariana Grande, Monica Barbaro, Isabella Rossellini and Felicity Jones—praising them for their “love and community” throughout the awards season. While she expressed gratitude to Emilia Pérez director Jacques Audiard and the film’s cast and crew, she refrained from naming anyone else individually.

Turning back to her loved ones, Saldaña credited her family for shaping her into the person she is today.

“To my mom, my dad, and my sisters Mariel and Cisely,” she said, pausing as tears welled up. “Everything brave, outrageous, and good that I’ve ever done in my entire life is because of you. Thank you so much.”

She then turned her attention to her husband, Marco Perego-Saldaña.

“And to my husband with that beautiful hair,” she quipped as he buried his face in his hands. “The biggest honor of my life is being your partner. You hung the moon in our beautiful, perfect sons: Cy, Bowie, and Zen. They fill our skies every night with stars.”

Saldaña also paid tribute to her late grandmother, reflecting on her family’s journey to America.

“My grandmother came to this country in 1961. I am a proud child of immigrant parents with dreams and dignity and hard-working hands, and I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award, and I know I will not be the last. I hope.”

She closed her speech with a special dedication: “This is for my grandmother, Argentina Cesse. Thank you so much. Muchas gracias.”

Emilia Pérez, which follows a Mexican drug cartel leader’s transition into a woman, has been one of the most talked-about films of the season, racking up 13 nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director. The 2025 Academy Awards aired live on ABC from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.