Ever since Walter Salles’ Brazilian political drama I’m Still Here debuted to acclaim at last September’s Venice Film Festival, Brazilian star Fernanda Torres has been cutting a historic path through Hollywood’s awards season. That continued Sunday night at the 2025 Oscars, where the 59-year-old South America screen diva was nominated for best actress for her powerful performance as grieving mother of five whose politician husband has disappeared amid the darkest days of 1970s Brazil’s military dictatorship.

Torres didn’t take home the Oscar for best actress, though I’m Still Here significantly won the best international feature film category. On the carpet before the ceremony, she dazzled in an embellished Chanel dress, cementing her star quality on the big night.

Going into the ceremony, Torres was considered a longshot against best actress category frontrunner Demi Moore for The Substance which later went to Mikey Madison for Anora. But in...