¡Wepa! Latina actress Liza Colón-Zayas makes Emmy history

In a historic Emmy moment, Liza Colón-Zayas became the first-ever Latina to win Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. Her win has been celebrated not only as a personal achievement but as a symbol of broader progress in Hollywood’s representation of Latino talent. The actress was honored for her role as Tina Marrero in the critically acclaimed series “The Bear.” 

The 52-year-old Puerto Rican actress delivered a richly nuanced performance as a working-class restaurant employee striving for more in a stagnant job. Colón-Zayas infused her supporting role with remarkable heart and depth in the episode "Napkins," which became one of the standout episodes of the third season. 

Colón-Zayas, whose career has been a testament to her versatility and skill, delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech that resonated deeply with both her peers and audiences. She joked that she didn’t write an acceptance speech because she didn’t “think it would be possible.”

As she held the golden trophy, she expressed gratitude for the support of her family, her co-stars and the industry that has increasingly recognized the value of diverse voices. Her speech also urged Latinos to exercise their voting power, “to all the Latinas who are looking at me, keep believing and vote – vote for your rights.”

In a parallel celebration of Latino achievement, Johnny Leguizamo, a long-time advocate for Latino representation in Hollywood, delivered a poignant and impassioned speech that highlighted the ongoing struggle for visibility and equity. Known for his own trailblazing career and outspoken advocacy, Leguizamo used the platform of the Emmy Awards to address the systemic challenges faced by Latino actors and creators.

In his speech, Leguizamo praised Colón-Zayas’ win as a significant step forward but also emphasized that there is much more work to be done. He called for continued efforts to dismantle the barriers that have historically marginalized Latino talent and to create more opportunities for diverse stories to be told.

Leguizamo gave several shoutouts to Latino nominees like Selena Gomez, up for lead comedy actress for “Only Murders in the Building,” and Sofia Vergara for lead actress in a limited series or anthology or movie for her title role in “Griselda.” Most notably, Leguizamo recognized “Baby Reindeer” star Nava Mau as the first transgender Latina to be nominated for best supporting actress in the same category.

Leguizamo’s speech resonated strongly with the audience, drawing attention to the often-overlooked contributions of Latino artists and the need for Hollywood to fully embrace and support diversity. His remarks were not just a critique but also a call to action for industry leaders to prioritize inclusion and to ensure that Latino voices are not only heard but valued.

The evening was marked by a sense of celebration and reflection, as the industry took a moment to recognize both the progress made and the challenges that remain. Colón-Zayas’ Emmy win and Leguizamo’s speech are emblematic of a shifting landscape in Hollywood—one where the contributions of Latino artists are increasingly acknowledged and where the push for greater representation continues to gain momentum.