On March 2, 2025, Zoe Saldaña made history by becoming the first Dominican to win an Academy Award. Her powerful performance as Rita Mora Castro in Emilia Pérez earned her the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, marking a monumental moment for the Dominican Republic and Latinos worldwide.
At KeCaché, we are bursting with pride! 🇩🇴✨ Saldaña’s win is not just a personal triumph—it is a historic victory for Dominican representation in Hollywood. For years, Dominicans have made significant cultural contributions, yet we have rarely seen our people recognized on this grand stage. That changed with Zoe!
A Groundbreaking Achievement for the Dominican Republic
With this win, Saldaña has put the Dominican Republic on the map in a new way. While Dominicans have long been known for excelling in music, baseball, and other areas, this is the first time a Dominican-born or Dominican-descent actor has won an Oscar.
During her acceptance speech, she emotionally shared:
"I am the proud daughter of immigrant parents with dreams, dignity, and hardworking hands. I am the first Dominican-American to accept an Academy Award, and I know I won’t be the last."
(El País)
This win is bigger than just an award—it is about visibility and inspiration for Dominicans worldwide, proving that our talent, culture, and stories belong on the biggest stages.
A Career of Excellence and Representation
Before this historic Oscar, Saldaña was already a Hollywood powerhouse. She has built an impressive career starring in some of the biggest blockbuster franchises of all time, including:
- Avatar (2009) & Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
- Guardians of the Galaxy & the Marvel Cinematic Universe
- Star Trek (2009) and its sequels
- Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
She has appeared in four of the six highest-grossing movies in history, including the top three: Avatar, Avatar: The Way of Water, and Avengers: Endgame.
(The Guardian)
Yet, despite this success, Hollywood had never officially recognized her with an Oscar nomination—until now.
The Role That Made History: Emilia Pérez
In Emilia Pérez, directed by Jacques Audiard, Saldaña plays Rita Mora Castro, a skilled defense attorney caught in a world of crime and transformation. The film, a crime-musical hybrid, became a record-breaking foreign-language movie, earning 13 Oscar nominations.
Saldaña’s performance was praised as one of the best of her career, earning her:
- Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress
- BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress
- SAG Award for Best Supporting Actress
- And now, the Oscar!
This was the role that finally gave her the industry recognition she deserves.
Second Afro-Latina to Win an Oscar
While Saldaña made history as the first Dominican Oscar winner, she also broke barriers as the second Afro-Latina to receive an Academy Award.
The first was Ariana DeBose, who won Best Supporting Actress in 2022 for her role in West Side Story. Saldaña’s victory cements the growing recognition of Afro-Latina talent in Hollywood, though there is still a long way to go in terms of diversity and inclusion.
(CinemaTropical.com)
This win is a major step forward for Afro-Latinas in the film industry, proving that we belong in every cinematic space—from indie films to major blockbusters to the Academy Awards stage.
A Win for the Dominican Community
At KeCaché, we celebrate Zoe’s win as a victory for all Dominicans who have been waiting to see our culture and talent shine on this level.
Her triumph is not just about an Oscar—it is about the dreams of young Dominican girls who now see that they, too, can take center stage. It is about breaking stereotypes and proving that Dominican talent is limitless.
She represents our culture, our struggle, our resilience, and our triumph. And for that, we say thank you, Zoe!
What’s Next for Zoe?
This is just the beginning of a new era for Zoe Saldaña. With this Oscar win, we expect:
- More Afro-Latina and Dominican representation in film
- Bigger, bolder roles that challenge Hollywood’s traditional narratives
- More opportunities for young Latino and Black actors inspired by her path
At KeCaché, we look forward to seeing Zoe continue to elevate Dominican culture on the world stage.
References
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El País. (2025, March 3). Zoe Saldaña al recibir el Oscar a mejor actriz de reparto: "Soy la orgullosa hija de inmigrantes". Retrieved from El País
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The Guardian. (2025, March 3). Zoe Saldaña wins best supporting actress Oscar for Emilia Pérez. Retrieved from The Guardian
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Cinema Tropical. (2025, March 3). Oscars: Zoe Saldaña Became the Fourth Latina to Win the Award for Best Supporting Actress. Retrieved from Cinema Tropical
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Newslooks. (2025, March 3). Zoe Saldaña wins first Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in Emilia Pérez. Retrieved from Newslooks
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Time Magazine. (2025, March 3). The 2025 Oscar Winners Who Made History. Retrieved from Time
