SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) 鈥� Dominicans on Monday celebrated Zoe Salda帽a's for her role in 鈥淓milia P茅rez,鈥� marking a moment of immense national pride.
Dominican took to X immediately after the actress received the award Sunday night, thanking her for being a worthy representative of Dominican culture.
鈥淚 congratulate you, Zoe Salda帽a, for becoming the first Dominican to win an Oscar," he wrote. "Your talent and dedication exalt our nation, thank you for carrying our flag high. You are a Dominican pride,鈥� Abinader said.
Minister of Culture Roberto 脕ngel Salcedo, a former film producer, echoed the sentiment. "We are deeply proud of you. It is a well-deserved recognition of your career and your international success. Bravo, Zoe!,鈥� he said in a statement shared on social media.
Salda帽a, an American of Dominican descent, won the best supporting actress Oscar for her portrayal of Mexican lawyer Rita Castro in the
Scarlet Jim茅nez, a 34-year-old lawyer, drew parallels to Amelia Vega鈥檚 2003 Miss Universe win, another historic first for Dominican women.
鈥淚 thought it was super excellent, the domi (Dominicans) shining everywhere, just as Amelia won Miss Universe at the time, that鈥檚 how it feels,鈥� said Jim茅nez.
Diario Libre, the Dominican Republic鈥檚 largest newspaper, dedicated its Monday editorial to Salda帽a.
鈥淪alda帽a has established herself as one of the most prominent figures in global cinema, transcending barriers of genre, platforms and film genres,鈥� the newspaper wrote.
In her acceptance speech, Salda帽a saluted her mother, who attended the ceremony at the Dolby Theater, and affectionately remembered her grandmother, who migrated to the U.S. in 1961.
鈥淚 am a proud child of immigrant parents. With dreams and dignity and hard working hands,鈥� said Salda帽a. 鈥淚 am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award. And I know I won鈥檛 be the last."
鈥淭he fact that I am 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,鈥� she said.
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Mart铆n Adames, The Associated Press
