Zoe Saldaña revealed that she collapsed right after winning her Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in “Emilia Pérez.” The 46-year-old actress shared her experience on “Live With Kelly & Mark,” stating that her health took a turn for the worse shortly after accepting the award. “I lost my voice within an hour after I won the award,” Saldaña said. “I couldn’t stand on those heels that I had.
All I wanted to do was crawl in bed and maybe cry.”
Saldaña described the physical toll of the experience, explaining that her body was running on pure adrenaline leading up to the Oscars. “Your body is running on pure adrenaline, so you know that your immune system is in optimal condition, but once you tell your body that it’s over, then everything sort of collapses,” she added. Mark Consuelos, who interviewed Saldaña backstage moments after her win, recalled her appearing ill.
Saldaña confirmed that she had lost her voice and collapsed shortly after the ceremony. In her acceptance speech, Saldaña delivered an emotional tribute to her family’s immigrant background.
Health scare after Oscar win
“My grandmother came to this country in 1961. I am a proud child of immigrant parents with dreams and dignity and hardworking hands, and I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award,” she said. Saldaña also shared a lighthearted moment about her family’s reaction to her win.
One of her kids humorously questioned her category placement, asking, “But this was for actress, right?”
Saldaña’s role in director Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Pérez” sees her as Rita, a budding lawyer assisting a former cartel leader with her gender transition. The film faced criticism for its portrayal of transgender issues and the depiction of Mexico, despite Saldaña’s well-regarded performance. The Oscar victory capped an impressive awards season run for Saldaña, who also won the Golden Globe, BAFTA, SAG, and Critics’ Choice awards for her role.
However, the film and its cast faced negative press for controversial remarks and lack of preparation in portraying Mexican culture. Saldaña’s emotional journey to the Oscars and subsequent health scare highlight the intense personal and physical demands that often accompany such high-profile milestones in an actor’s career.
