The 2025 Oscars nominations have been unveiled, and the race is already shaping up to be one for the history books. Leading the pack is Emilia Pérez, a Spanish-language operatic musical, which shattered records with an impressive 13 nominations. This marks the highest-ever nomination count for a non-English language film, solidifying its place in cinematic history.
The film’s accolades also brought groundbreaking recognition for Karla Sofía Gascón, who made history as the first out trans actress nominated for an Oscar. Gascón earned a Best Actress nod for her role as Emilia, a performance that has captivated audiences worldwide. Speaking about her transformative experience playing the role, Gascón reflected, “For me, it was an amazing journey, mentally, physically, and all the things, no? It is hard work to remove this character from my life.”
Co-star Édgar Ramírez celebrated Emilia Pérez’s Best Picture nomination with unrestrained joy, sharing a jubilant Instagram video. Meanwhile, Zoe Saldaña, who picked up a Golden Globe for her performance, earned a Best Supporting Actress nomination. Saldaña took to Instagram, posting a heartfelt message alongside a photo with her sisters: “I am truly honored and grateful for the nomination… Emilia Pérez was made with love.” She ended her message with an excited nod to director Jacques Audiard: “Jacques!!!!! BINGO!”
Saldaña now faces fierce competition in the Best Supporting Actress category, going head-to-head with Wicked’s Ariana Grande, A Complete Unknown’s Monica Barbaro, Conclave’s Isabella Rossellini, and The Brutalist’s Felicity Jones. Meanwhile, Gascón joins a formidable Best Actress lineup, competing against Wicked’s Cynthia Erivo, Anora’s Mikey Madison, and I’m Still Here’s Fernanda Torres.
Another significant moment this year was Demi Moore earning her first Oscar nomination in her 40-year career for her performance in The Substance. Moore expressed her gratitude in a statement, saying, “Being nominated for an Oscar is an incredible honor… Truly there are no words to fully express my joy and overwhelming gratitude for this recognition. Not only for me but for what this film represents.” She also acknowledged the devastation caused by recent fires in Los Angeles, praising the resilience and compassion of her community.
Cynthia Erivo, nominated for her portrayal in Wicked, also shared her excitement on social media. Posting from a plane, she joked she was “literally defying gravity.” In an emotional caption, she expressed gratitude for the recognition and the opportunity to be part of a film that “makes us believe in magic.” Erivo also congratulated her co-star Ariana Grande and praised director Jon Chu for his fearless leadership.
The 2025 Oscars are shaping up to celebrate groundbreaking performances, heartfelt stories, and moments of triumph. With such a diverse and talented lineup, the countdown to awards night is more exciting than ever!
