Zoe Saldana’s Oscars 2025 Acceptance Speech Revealed: What Made It So Emotional?

On March 2, 2025, Zoe Saldaña etched her name into Oscars history at the 97th Academy Awards, winning Best Supporting Actress for her role in Emilia Pérez. Her acceptance speech, posted by ABC News on their YouTube channel, has since captivated audiences worldwide with its raw emotion and powerful message. As the first American of Dominican origin to claim an Oscar, Saldaña’s tearful tribute to her immigrant roots and her grandmother left the Dolby Theatre—and viewers at home—speechless. Curious about what made this moment so unforgettable? Let’s break down every heartfelt detail of her historic speech.

What Did Zoe Saldana Say in Her Oscars 2025 Acceptance Speech?

Zoe Saldaña’s speech was a rollercoaster of gratitude and pride. Clutching her Oscar, she began by searching the audience for her mother, exclaiming, “Mami! Mami!” before waving tearfully. “My mom is here. My whole family is here. I am floored by this honor,” she said, her voice trembling. She thanked the Academy for recognizing her character Rita, a Mexican lawyer in Emilia Pérez, praising “the quiet heroism and the power in a woman like Rita.”

The emotional peak came when she dedicated the win to her grandmother: “My grandmother came to this country in 1961. I am a proud child of immigrant parents, with dreams and dignity and hardworking 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 closed with a nod to her Spanish-speaking role, adding, “This is for my grandmother. Muchas gracias.”

Why Was Zoe Saldaña’s Speech a Historic Moment?

Saldaña’s win marked a groundbreaking milestone—she became the first Dominican-American to win an Oscar, a fact she proudly highlighted in her speech. This victory wasn’t just personal; it was a cultural triumph, resonating with immigrant communities and Latinos everywhere. Posted on ABC News’ YouTube channel, the speech footage shows her pausing to compose herself as the crowd roared in support.

Her words, “I know I will not be the last,” struck a chord, signaling hope for future diverse winners. The moment was amplified by her role in Emilia Pérez, a film that led with 13 nominations, though it only secured two wins, making her achievement stand out even more.

How Did Zoe Saldaña Honor Her Family in Her Speech?

Family was at the heart of Saldaña’s speech. The ABC News YouTube clip captures her scanning the audience for her mother, Asalia Nazario, and waving with childlike excitement. Backstage, she told ABC’s “Good Morning America” that locking eyes with her mom—“I saw her, it was really beautiful”—fueled her emotional delivery.

The speech’s climax came with her tribute to her grandmother, Argentina Cesse, who immigrated to the U.S. in 1961. Saldaña tied her win to her heritage, noting how her Oscar for a Spanish-singing, Spanish-speaking role would’ve delighted her grandmother. This personal thread turned her speech into a love letter to her lineage.

What Made Zoe Saldaña’s Speech So Emotional?

The raw emotion in Saldaña’s delivery is palpable in the ABC News video. Her voice cracked as she spoke of her immigrant parents’ “dreams and dignity and hardworking hands,” and tears flowed when she mentioned her grandmother. The camera zooms in as she fights to steady herself, a moment of vulnerability that humanized her superstar status. She later told ABC backstage that she’d been under the weather, yet the adrenaline of the night—and her family’s presence—pushed her through. “I’m happy he was there beside me,” she said of her husband, Marco Perego, underscoring the support that fueled her poignant words.

How Did Fans React to Zoe Saldaña’s Speech on YouTube?

The ABC News YouTube upload of Saldaña’s speech has sparked a wave of reactions. Viewers praised her authenticity, with comments like “She spoke from the soul” and “A win for all Latinos!” flooding the section. Her emphasis on immigrant pride and breaking barriers resonated deeply, with one user writing, “That ‘I know I will not be the last’ gave me chills.” The video, titled “Zoe Saldaña Wins Best Supporting Actress at the 2025 Oscars,” has racked up views for its heartfelt sincerity, proving her words transcended the stage and touched a global audience.

Zoe Saldaña’s Oscars Speech: A Legacy of Heart and History

Zoe Saldaña’s Oscars 2025 acceptance speech, immortalized by ABC News on YouTube, was more than a victory lap—it was a historic, tear-soaked celebration of identity, family, and resilience. From her shoutout to “Mami” to her tribute to her grandmother’s immigrant journey, Saldaña turned a personal win into a universal moment of inspiration. As the first Dominican-American Oscar winner, she’s paved the way for others, leaving us with a speech that’s as unforgettable as it is uplifting.

Watch it again on ABC News’ channel, and let her words remind you: dreams, dignity, and hard work can indeed take you to the top.

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