Oscars 2025: Hollywood’s biggest night saw two powerhouse performers—Kieran Culkin and Zoe Saldaña— win Best Supporting Actor and Actress respectively at the 97th Academy Awards, each delivering heartfelt speeches that left the audience both moved and amused.

Kieran Culkin wins Best Supporting Actor

Kieran Culkin, 42, solidified his awards season sweep by taking home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, adding to his previous wins at the Golden Globes, BAFTAs, and Screen Actors Guild Awards. His performance as Benji Kaplan in Jesse Eisenberg’s 'A Real Pain'—a charismatic yet troubled man accompanying his cousin on a journey through their Jewish heritage in Poland—had already won widespread acclaim.

Accepting his award from Robert Downey Jr., Culkin maintained his signature laid-back and humorous tone. In his speech, he gave a nod to his Succession co-star Jeremy Strong, declaring, “I think you were f**ing great”* in The Apprentice. He also took a moment to express gratitude to his longtime agent, director Jesse Eisenberg (“a genius”), and his parents for their efforts in raising him, quipping, “You gave it your best shot.”

The most memorable part of his speech, however, came when he recalled a promise from his wife, Jazz Charton. Last year, she jokingly told him she would have a third child if he won an Emmy, which he did. That night, she upped the stakes, saying an Oscar win would mean a fourth child. “I held my hand out, and she shook it,” he revealed, before addressing Charton directly: “No pressure, but let’s get cracking on those kids.”

Culkin, who first gained fame over two decades ago with 'Igby Goes Down', later won international recognition as Roman Roy in 'Succession', earning multiple awards for the role. 

Zoe Saldaña’s historic win

After years of delivering powerful performances across various genres, Zoe Saldaña finally clinched her first Academy Award, winning Best Supporting Actress for her role in 'Emilia Pérez'. Overcome with emotion, she broke into tears as she accepted the statuette, calling out to her mother in Spanish: “Mami! Mami!”

“My mom is here. My whole family is here. I am floored by this honour,” she said, thanking the Academy for recognising the strength and quiet heroism of her character, Rita. She also expressed gratitude to her fellow nominees, saying, “The love and community that you have offered to me is a true gift, and I will pay it forward.”

Saldaña received the award from last year’s Best Supporting Actress winner, Da’Vine Joy Randolph. Her win capped off an outstanding awards season, having previously earned a Golden Globe, BAFTA, Critics Choice Award, and SAG Award.

Reflecting on her journey, she spoke about her family’s immigrant roots: “My grandmother came to this country in 1961. I am a proud child of immigrant parents, with dreams, dignity, and hardworking hands. And I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award. And I know I will not be the last.”

Saldaña’s role in 'Emilia Pérez' saw her portray Rita Castro, a struggling lawyer who is unexpectedly hired by a powerful Mexican drug lord—who later transitions into Emilia Pérez, played by Karla Sofía Gascón. Gascón made history this year as the first openly transgender actor nominated for Best Actress.

“The 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 e so delighted,” Saldaña said, acknowledging the personal significance of the role.

Throughout the awards season, she has emphasized the importance of storytelling that embraces diversity and artistic freedom. At the SAG Awards, she stated, “I believe that everybody has the right to be who they are, and ‘Emilia Pérez’ is about truth and love.”