Watch Zoe Saldaña and Kieran Culkin Share Loving Speeches After New Oscar Wins
Kieran Culkin and Zoe Saldaña won Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress at the 97 Academy Awards on March 2.
Culkin took home his first Academy Award for his portrayal of Benji Kaplan in A Real Pain. In a tight race, Culkin beat out Yura Borisov, Edward Norton, Guy Pearce, and Jeremy Strong. Leading up to the prestigious event, Culkin won the Best Supporting Actor award at the BAFTAs and the Critics Choice Awards.
A real pleasure for Kieran Culkin!
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 3, 2025
Congratulations on winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/khq888KgJY
After receiving his award from presenter Robert Downey Jr., Culkin thanked him before giving a profanity-filled shoutout to Strong, who portrayed Roy Cohn in The Apprentice.
“I have no idea how I got here. I’ve been acting my whole life, and it’s been a part of what I do. So I felt like this was never my trajectory,” Culkin continued.
He added, “I know that Emily Gerson Saines, my manager of 30 years, is here because of you. Thank you for being there. I lean on you for everything, so please don’t go anywhere. I’d be completely lost without you.”
Culkin expressed his gratitude to co-star and director Jesse Eisenberg, who brought A Real Pain to the big screen. “Thank you for this movie; you’re a genius,” the actor jokingly proclaimed
Later in the night, as the award ceremony continued, Saldaña took center stage when she received her award for her role in the hit Netflix film Emilia Pérez. Saldaña’s portrayal of Rita Mora Castro won over fellow nominees Ariana Grande, Monica Barbaro, Felicity Jones, and Isabella Rossellini. Like her male counterpart, she also won the Best Supporting Actress award at the BAFTAs and the Golden Globes leading up to the event.
After receiving her first Academy Award, Saldaña immediately broke down in tears and shouted, “Mommy,” as she waved to her mother and family in attendance. Saldaña proceeded to thank the academy for “recognizing the quiet heroism of Rita.”
Saldaña added, “Talking about powerful women, my fellow nominees, and the loving community you have offered me is a true gift, and I will pay it forward. Thank you so much.”
She thanked Netflix, YSL, and her team of managers and lawyers at CAA for their support and guidance throughout this process.
“To my mom, my dad, and my sisters, everything brave, outrageous, and good that I’ve ever done in my life is for you. Thank you so much,” she continued.
Zoe Saldaña is a first-time Oscar winner for her performance in EMILIA PÉREZ.
— Netflix (@netflix) March 3, 2025
"I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award, and I know I will not be the last!" pic.twitter.com/GRiJ8JV7Mb
Click here to watch the emotional speech of the first Dominican American actress to win an Academy Award.
