The actor, who made her debut more than 20 years ago, almost burst into tears as she accepted the best supporting actress Oscar for her role in “Emilia Pérez.”

Last year’s recipient, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, who won for “The Holdovers” handed the Oscar to Saldaña who immediately mentioned her mom on stage. She then celebrated her cast, the team behind her and her fellow nominees.

“Everything brave, outrageous and good that I’ve ever done in my life is because of you,” she told her family before thanking her husband, Marco Perego-Saldaña.

Image: 97th Annual Oscars – Show
Zoe Saldana accepts the Best Actress In A Supporting Role award for “Emilia Perez” onstage during the 97th Annual Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 02, 2025 in Hollywood, California. Kevin Winter / Getty Images
She continued, “And to my husband, with that beautiful hair! The biggest honor in my life is being your partner. You hung the moon is our beautiful perfect sons, Cy, Bowie and Zen. They fill our skies every night with stars.”

Saldaña said her grandmother came to the U.S. 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,” she said as the crowd applauded. “I hope that the fact that I am getting an award for a role where I got to sing and speak in Spanish — my grandmother, if she were here, she’d be so delighted.”