The 96th Annual Academy Awards, held last night, showcased Hollywood’s finest talent. While the night celebrated outstanding achievements in film, there were no Latino winners. However, despite it all, three unforgettable moments for the Latinos stood out, leaving an indelible mark on the star-studded event.
Bad Bunny Breaks Language Barriers
Bad Bunny, the chart-topping Puerto Rican singer and rapper, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, made his Oscars debut on his 30th birthday.
During the ceremony, he had the honor of presenting the award for Best International Feature Film, alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Bad Bunny’s classic and surprisingly understated look — a black suit with an unbuttoned dress shirt and reading glasses—contrasted with his usual fashion-forward style. But it wasn’t just his suave style that caught everyone’s attention — it was his unapologetic use of Spanish.
In a room where English reigns supreme, Bad Bunny’s bilingual delivery was a refreshing reminder of the rich cultural tapestry that defines Hollywood.
His delivery “Tuvo un toque Latino” (had a Latino touch), Telemundo reports today.
“El arte del cine es le lenguaje universal que habla a los hilos que nos unen juntos.,” the Puerto Rican rapper said. In English, it means: “The art of cinema is a universal language that speaks to the threads that bind us together.”
As he announced the winner, he seamlessly switched between languages, bridging gaps and celebrating diversity. The applause that followed echoed beyond the Dolby Theatre, resonating with millions who felt seen and heard.
Rita Moreno Pays Tribute to America Ferrera
Rita Moreno, the legendary actress and EGOT winner, graced the Oscars stage once again. But this time, she wasn’t there to accept an award — she was there to honor another great Latina Actress, America Ferrera.
With tears in her eyes, Moreno recounted her own journey as a Puerto Rican actress in Hollywood. She spoke of the struggles, the triumphs, and the importance of representation.
“Kudos to whoever came up with the brilliant idea of having Rita Moreno address America Ferrera (“Barbie”) during the presentation of the best supporting actress nominees. It gave Moreno the opportunity to sing ‘Ahh-meeeh-riii-ca,’ a callback to the veteran Oscar winner’s legendary performance of the song of the same name from ‘West Side Story’ (1961),” the New York Times writes.
The audience erupted in applause, recognizing the torch being passed from one generation to the next. And social media is still buzzing about it.
“The special moment was seeing the iconic Rita Moreno introducing America Ferrera and making a reference to West Side Story,” Valeria, @AnchanteValeria, posts in Spanish on X/Twitter.
Becky G Performance is Fire
Billie Ellish and Ryan Gosling weren’t the only stars to perform their hits at the Oscars last night. Mexican-American Singer Becky G took the stage to perform a combustible rendition of “The Fire Inside” from the 2023 film “Flamin’ Hot”, directed by Eva Longoria.
The song, written by GRAMMY winner and 15-time nominee Diane Warren, resonated with authority and aplomb as Becky G belted out the powerful lyrics:
“Nothing can hold you back,
No one can kill your vibe,
When you got the fire inside.
And oh, you’re gonna own this life,
Cause you got the fire inside,
'Cause you got the fire, you got the fire.”
Accompanied by digital flames billowing behind her, Becky G’s scorching performance left an indelible mark on the Oscars stage. As the song concluded, Diane Warren hollered her approval.
The moment brought pride across social media right away.
On YouTube, @user-em4uj1su6b sums up the performance, “
