In a moment of immense national pride, Dominicans celebrated Zoe Saldaña's Oscar win for best supporting actress for her role in “Emilia Pérez.” President Luis Abinader expressed his congratulations to Saldaña for becoming the first Dominican to win an Oscar, praising her as a worthy representative of Dominican culture.
Minister of Culture Roberto Ángel Salcedo also lauded Saldaña, emphasizing that her win was a well-deserved recognition of her career and international success. Saldaña, an American of Dominican descent, clinched the award for her portrayal of Mexican lawyer Rita Castro in the French narco-musical “Emilia Pérez.”
Scarlet Jiménez, a 34-year-old lawyer, drew parallels between Saldaña's win and Amelia Vega’s historic Miss Universe win in 2003, highlighting the pride felt by Dominicans seeing their compatriots shine on the global stage.
Diario Libre, the Dominican Republic’s largest newspaper, dedicated its editorial to Saldaña, praising her as one of the most prominent figures in global cinema who transcends barriers of genre and platforms.
In her acceptance speech, Saldaña expressed gratitude to her mother and fondly remembered her grandmother, who migrated to the U.S. in 1961. She emphasized her pride as a child of immigrant parents and the significance of being the first American of Dominican origin to win an Academy Award.
Saldaña's portrayal in a role where she sang and spoke in Spanish resonated deeply with her heritage, with her acknowledging that her grandmother would have been delighted by her achievement.
Saldaña's Oscar win has not only brought joy to Dominicans but has also highlighted the talent and representation of the Dominican community on the global stage. Her success serves as an inspiration for future generations of Dominican artists and performers.
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