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Zoe Saldaña Thanks Her Abuela in Powerful Oscars Speech
The 97th Oscars had it all: huge surprises, groundbreaking wins, some awkward moments, and a host who was definitely not playing it safe. The indie drama Anora stole the show, taking home Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Director. But Latinos had plenty of reasons to celebrate their own big wins.
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Zoe Saldaña made history as the first Dominican-American actress to snag an Oscar for Emilia Pérez, while Brazil finally ended its Best International Feature Film drought with I’m Still Here, scoring its first-ever Oscar win. And Conan O’Brien? He made sure nobody forgot Karla Sofía Gascón’s disastrous awards season, even for a second.
From Adrien Brody tossing his gum before clinching Best Actor to Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo delivering the Broadway moment we all craved, this year’s show was packed with unforgettable moments. Let’s dive in.
Zoe Saldaña’s Historic Oscars Win Had Us All Cheering
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Zoe Saldaña made history by becoming the first Dominican-American actress to win an Oscar for her role in Emilia Pérez. She took the stage visibly moved, waving to her mom before delivering a powerful speech.
“I am floored by this honor. Thank you to the Academy for recognizing the quiet heroism in a woman like Rita. And speaking of powerful women, my fellow nominees, the love and community you have shown me is a true gift, and I will pay it forward. Thank you so much.”
She then brought it back to her roots, making sure her win was about more than just herself. “My grandmother came to this country in 1961. I am a proud child of immigrant parents with dreams, dignity, and hardworking hands. And I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Oscar, and I know I will not be the last. 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.”
Brazil’s I’m Still Here Wins Best International Feature Film
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Brazil finally clinched its first-ever Oscar after five previous misses in the Best International Feature Film category. I’m Still Here, directed by Walter Salles, tells the story of Eunice Paiva, a woman whose husband, a former leftist congressman, was taken by Brazil’s military dictatorship in 1971 and never returned. The film’s emotional impact and historical significance made it a deserving winner.
Salles dedicated the award to the real Eunice Paiva, who refused to stay silent in the face of an authoritarian regime. “This award is for a woman who, after facing a loss during an authoritarian regime, chose not to bow down but to stand firm. This prize is for her.”
He also paid tribute to the film’s stars, Fernanda Torres and Fernanda Montenegro, for bringing Paiva’s story to life. “And it goes to the two incredible women who embodied her.”
Anora Shocked Hollywood. Should We Have Seen It Coming?
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If you thought a low-budget indie film about a New York sex worker was going to dominate Hollywood’s biggest night… well, you were right. Anora swept the Oscars, winning Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Editing.
Mikey Madison pulled off an upset, beating out Demi Moore for Best Actress. “Thank you so much to the Academy. I grew up in Los Angeles, but Hollywood always felt so far away from me. So to be here, standing in this room, is incredible.”
She dedicated her win to the sex worker community. “I honor the sex workers who trusted me with their stories. I will continue to support and be an ally.”
Director Sean Baker won Best Director and used his moment to advocate for saving movie theaters. “Movie theaters, especially independently owned ones, are struggling. If we don’t reverse this trend, we’re going to lose a vital part of our culture.”
Conan O’Brien Was Brutal at the Oscars, Just Ask Karla
El presentador Conan O’Brien y sus bromas sobre Karla Sofía Gascón en plena gala de los Oscar pic.twitter.com/WqsRTaAEgN
— EL MUNDO (@elmundoes) March 3, 2025
From the moment Conan O’Brien walked on stage, he was merciless. And Karla Sofía Gascón? She definitely caught the brunt of it.
His first jab? “Anora used the f-word 497 times, that’s three more than the record set by Karla Sofía Gascón’s publicist.” Ouch.
And just when Gascón probably thought she was in the clear, he took another shot. “Karla, if you’re going to tweet about the Oscars, my name is Jimmy Kimmel.” The audience erupted, while the camera cut to Gascón, trying (and failing) to laugh it off. Conan totally understood the assignment.
Adrien Brody Wins Best Actor and Casually Tosses His Gum to His Girlfriend
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Adrien Brody is now a two-time Oscar winner, taking home Best Actor for The Brutalist, where he plays a Holocaust survivor-turned-architect. But before stepping on stage, he spit out his gum and tossed it to his girlfriend, Georgina Chapman.
His speech started off sentimental: “No matter where you are in your career, no matter what you’ve accomplished, it can all go away. And I think what makes this night most special is the awareness of that and the gratitude I have to still do the work that I love.”
Then he turned off the music trying to play him off and went full activist mode. “I hope for a healthier, happier, and more inclusive world. If history teaches us anything, it’s that we shouldn’t let hate go unchecked.”
Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo’s Wicked Performance Steals the Show
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If the Oscars were dragging a bit, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo definitely brought the energy back. The two future Wicked stars performed a medley that had the audience captivated.
Ariana kicked it off with ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ (The Wizard of Oz). Cynthia followed with ‘Home’ (The Wiz). Then they joined forces for ‘Defying Gravity’ and had everyone losing their minds. If this was a taste of the ‘Wicked’ movie, then we are absolutely ready.
This Oscars had a little bit of everything: big surprises, a historic Latino win, awkward tension, and a host who wasn’t afraid to go there. Zoe Saldaña made history. Brazil finally got an Oscar. Adrien Brody did whatever that was. Conan O’Brien annihilated Karla Sofía Gascón. Ariana & Cynthia gave us Broadway-level magic.
See you at the 2026 Oscars. Hopefully with even more chaos and drama.
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