Zoe Saldaña and Paul Tazewell broke barriers and made history with their Oscar wins on Sunday night.
Saldaña took home the Oscar for ‘Best Supporting Actress’ for her role in the film Emilia Perez. Saldaña plays Rita Mora Castro in the Netflix Film, a brilliant attorney who continues to have her light dimmed by her male bosses. Rita finds an opportunity to change all of that when she begins working for a cartel leader who needs legal support to undergo gender-affirming surgery.
It was Saldaña’s first Oscar win and first nomination. In an emotional acceptance speech, the actress joyfully cried out to her mother in the audience.
“Mami!” Saldaña yelled, pointing into the crowd. “My mom is here. My whole family’s here. I am floored by this honor.”
Saldaña, who identifies as both Black and Latina, became the first person of Dominican descent to win an Oscar.
“My grandmother came to this country in 1961,” Saldaña said in her speech. “I am a proud child of immigrant parents with dreams and dignity and hard-working hands, and I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award. And I know I will not be the last!”
Paul Tazewell becomes the first Black man to win the Oscar for best costume design
Renowned costumer Paul Tazewell took home his history-making award for ‘Best Costume Design’ for his work on Wicked.
Tazewell brought the world of Oz to life with his whimsical, powerful fashion designs. From Galinda’s perfectly pink dresses to Elphaba’s iconic hat, each piece of clothing added to the storylines of the characters who wore them.
In his first Oscar win, Tazewell became the only Black man to take home an Oscar in the category during the 97-year history of the award.
“This is absolutely astounding,” Tazewell said, visibly overwhelmed. “Thank you Academy for this very significant honor. I am the first Black man to receive the costume design award.”
The designer turned to the movie’s stars, Oscar nominees Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, to offer them his thanks as well.
“Thank you for trusting me for bringing your characters to life,” he told them. “This is everything.”
Wicked co-star Bowen Yang, who introduced Tazewell before the award announcement, took time to give the designer his flowers.
“To be costumed by the great Paul Tazewell is one of the great honors of my career,” Yang said. “Thank you for being such a one-of-a-kind talent. I love you.”
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