Zoe Saldaña won the Academy Award for best supporting actress for her performance in the Spanish-language musical “Emilia Pérez.” She plays Rita, a downtrodden Mexico City lawyer who decides to accept an offer to help Emilia Pérez, a drug cartel boss played by Karla Sofía Gascón, set up a new life after receiving gender-affirming surgery.

Zoe Saldana won the Oscar for best supporting actress on Sunday for her role as a Mexico City lawyer and fixer for a former drug lord in the crime drama and musical "Emilia Perez." It was the first Oscar win for the 46-year-old Saldana and was preceded by wins at the Golden Globes and BAFTA and SAG awards this year for the same role.

I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award. And I know I will not be the last,” the first-time winner said in her speech.