Photo credit: www.news18.com
Last Updated: March 04, 2025, 16:53 IST
James Cameron, a Long-Time Advocate for Zoe Saldana, Celebrates Her Oscar Win
Zoe Saldana recently achieved a prestigious milestone by winning an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Emilia Pérez. The recognition from the Academy, announced during the 97th Oscars, brought a wave of pride from her collaborator James Cameron, who has directed her in the acclaimed Avatar series.
Expressing his elation, Cameron remarked, “I was so happy to see Zoe acknowledged as the world-class performer we, in the ‘Avatar’ family, have always known her to be.” He further highlighted the cultural significance of Saldana’s acceptance speech, which served as a powerful reminder of the contributions immigrant families make to the U.S. and the film industry.
During her heartfelt speech, Saldana reflected on her groundbreaking win as she embraced her identity, calling herself the “proud child of immigrant parents” and recognizing that she is the first American of Dominican descent to receive an Academy Award.
“My grandmother came to this country in 1961. I am a proud child of immigrant parents, with dreams, dignity, and hard-working hands. And I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award. I know I will not be the last,” she stated, encapsulating the significance of her journey.
She dedicated the award to her grandmother, saying, “The fact that I’m getting an award for a role where I got to sing and speak in Spanish — my grandmother would be so delighted. This is for my grandmother.”
James Cameron, who has consistently championed Saldana’s talent, was not only supportive during the Oscar event but also reached out to her when she won a Golden Globe earlier this year, despite being occupied with the ongoing production of the third Avatar film in New Zealand.
In her own words, Saldana reflected on Cameron’s unwavering belief in her abilities. “I was sitting in the audience when I received a message from James Cameron, who’s somewhere in New Zealand right now, cutting ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash.’ His continuing support nourishes my desire to grow as an artist,” she shared with the press.
Cameron has also critiqued the industry’s tendency to overlook the complexity of Saldana’s role as Neytiri in the Avatar franchise, suggesting that the heavy reliance on CGI should not diminish her acting prowess. “I’ve worked with Academy Award-winning actors, and there’s nothing that Zoe’s doing that’s of a caliber less than that. But because she’s playing a ‘CG character’ in my film, it somehow doesn’t count, which makes no sense to me. She can switch from regal to utterly feral in seconds. The woman is ferocious. She is a freaking lioness,” he stated in an interview last year.
The collaboration between Cameron and Saldana is set to continue as they prepare for the upcoming film, Avatar: Fire and Ash. Saldana will reprise her role as Neytiri, joined by Sam Worthington as Jake Sully, with Sigourney Weaver and Stephen Lang returning to their respective roles. The highly anticipated film is scheduled for release on December 18.
Source
www.news18.com