Zoe Saldana took a subtle jab at President Donald Trump’s immigration policies while accepting her first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Emilia Pérez. The award was presented to her by Da’Vine Joy Randolph at the 2025 Oscars.
Emotional and tearful, Saldana began by expressing her gratitude. “Mami! Mami!” she exclaimed. “My mom is here. My whole family is here. I am floored by this honor. Thank you to the Academy for recognizing the quiet heroism and the power in a woman like Rita and talking about powerful women. My fellow nominees, the love and community that you have offered to me is a true gift, and I will pay it forward.”
Proud Immigrant Roots
Saldana also shared a heartfelt message about her immigrant heritage, which appeared to indirectly reference Trump’s controversial immigration policies. During his presidency, Trump made repeated efforts to crack down on illegal immigration, including deploying the U.S. military to the southern border and signing executive orders targeting immigrant communities.
“My grandmother came to this country in 1961. I am a proud child of immigrant parents. With dreams and dignity and hard-working hands,” Saldana said. “And I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award. And I know I will not be the last.”
Her speech earned a standing ovation from Selena Gomez, who has been vocal about her concerns over immigration issues. In a recent emotional Instagram video, Gomez tearfully spoke out against the treatment of immigrants, particularly children, saying, “All my people are getting attacked, the children. I don’t understand. I’m so sorry, I wish I could do something, but I can’t. I don’t know what to do. I’ll try everything, I promise.”
Celebrating Heritage and Representation
Saldana’s role in Emilia Pérez was a significant one—she portrayed Rita Castro, a down-on-her-luck lawyer hired by a Mexican drug lord to facilitate gender-affirming surgery. The drug lord later becomes Emilia Pérez, played by best actress nominee Karla Sofía Gascón, who made history as the first openly transgender actor to receive an Oscar nomination.
“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 would be so delighted,” Saldana reflected, honoring her family’s legacy.
Trump’s immigration policies, including a national emergency declaration at the U.S.-Mexico border and measures like ending birthright citizenship and suspending refugee admissions, remain a contentious issue. These actions have had a lasting impact on immigrant communities across the country.
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