(The Hill) — Zoe Saldaña is celebrating her historic win at the Academy Awards and using her acceptance speech to express pride in being the child of immigrants.
“My grandmother came to this country in 1961,” Saldaña said as she accepted her award in the best supporting actress category at the 97th annual Oscars on Sunday in Los Angeles.
“I am a proud child of immigrant parents — with dreams, and dignity and hardworking hands,” Saldaña, who won for her role in “Emilia Pérez,” said to loud applause.
“I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award and I know I will not be the last,” the 46-year-old performer, who was born in New Jersey, exclaimed.
“I hope the fact that I’m 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.”
“This is for my grandmother,” Saldaña said, before saying “thank you so much” in both English and Spanish.
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