Ariana DeBose made history in 2022, for becoming the first openly queer woman of color to win an Academy Award. She bagged the Oscar for her role as Anita in the Steven Spielberg movie musical “West Side Story,” based on the eponymous 1957 Broadway show.
While most of the success stories of the 94th Annual Academy Awards paled in comparison to that infamous slap that Will Smith let loose on Chris Rock for making a G.I. Jane joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith.
So here’s what makes DeBose’s win so special to her, and women of color as well as the LGBTQ+.
Actress Ariana DeBose Makes History
Ariana DeBose was competing against the likes of Jessie Buckley (“The Lost Daughter”), Kirsten Dunst (“The Power of the Dog”), Judi Dench (“Belfast”), and Aunjanue Ellis (“King Richard”).
When her name was announced, Moreno teared up, hugged her mother, and walked on stage in a lovely red dress to receive the award. In her acceptance speech, she said, “Imagine this little girl in the back seat of a white Ford Focus. Look into her eyes, you see an openly queer woman of color and Afro-Latina who found her strength in life through art, and that’s what I believe we’re here to celebrate,” she said. “So to anyone who has ever questioned your identity — ever, ever, ever — or you find yourself living in the gray spaces, I promise you this: There is indeed a place for us.”
Here’s DeBose, getting to know her win.
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DeBose also thanked Spielberg, “Thank you, Steven Spielberg. You’re stuck with me now!”
DeBose’s Oscar Is Rita Moreno’s Win Too
Said DeBose, 31, “I don’t know, it’s overwhelming because I could see Rita tonight. It was really special to be able to see her sort of willing me to say what I wanted to say.”
In her acceptance speech, DeBose gave a shout to both the character and Moreno, saying, “Now you see why Anita says, ‘I want to be in America’ because even in this weary world we live in, dreams do come true. And that’s really a heartening thing right now.”
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A beaming Rita Moreno sat in the audience, and DeBose looked towards her, thanking her, “The divine inspiration that is Rita Moreno. You’re staring at me right now and I’m so grateful your Anita paved the way for tons of Anitas like me. I love you so much.”
DeBose and Moreno, are both of Puerto Rican heritage and have now joined an elite club of actors who won Academy Awards for playing the same character. But they are the first women to have done so and also have the widest gap, of 60 years, between their Oscar-winning performances.
The very first pair to cinch a double Oscar was Marlon Brando (best actor) and Robert De Niro (best supporting actor) for playing Vito Corleone in 1972’s “The Godfather” and 1974’s “The Godfather: Part II.”
The second and other pair is Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix, who both played the Joker. While Ledger posthumously won best supporting actor for 2008’s “The Dark Knight” while Phoenix was awarded best actor for 2019’s “The Joker.”
Moreno’s Reactions Made Fans Tear Up
