Rita Moreno gave an emotional speech about America Ferrera while presenting the Best Supporting Actress award during the 2024 Oscars. Ferrera, who was nominated for her role of Gloria in Barbie, did not win the category. Instead. Da’Vine Joy Randolph took home the Academy Award for her role in The Holdovers.
The Best Supporting Actress award was the first award presented during the Academy Award ceremony, with previous winners on hand to introduce the nominees.
Jamie Lee Curtis introduced Jodie Foster, who was nominated for Nyad. Mary Steenburgen introduced Emily Blunt, who was nominated for Oppenheimer. Lupita Nyong’o introduced winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph, nominated for The Holdovers, and Regina King introduced Danielle Brooks, who was nominated for The Color Purple.
“America,” Moreno said. “America,” she continued, in a sing-song voice referencing her pivotal role in West Side Story. “Your powerful Barbie monologue is perhaps the most talked-about moment in the most talked-about movie of the past year. Your words and the passion with which you delivered them about the most impossible standards females must try to live up to galvanized not only women but everyone with a pulse.”
“America, from one woman to another, congratulations on your tour de force.”
Ferrera looked visibly touched, blowing a kiss at Moreno. And though the moment continued and the winner was soon announced, Moreno’s words stayed with us. And they will surely stay with little Latina girls who will dream that they, perhaps, can also one day make it to that stage. America Ferrera did it. Even if it’s “literally impossible to be a woman.”