Ariana DeBose Is Focused On Building A Long Career, Like Judi Dench

When Ariana DeBose arrived on set to begin shooting in Steven Spielberg's "West Side Story," it's almost impossible she could have predicted how well the picture would fare when it was released in late 2021.

In the months since its premiere, "West Side Story" has received widespread critical praise, with DeBose receiving several awards for her role. DeBose's portrayal of Anita in the musical recently won her the distinction of being the first Afro-Latina and openly LGBT woman of color to receive an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

While still riding high on her achievement, the actress recently talked about her Oscar triumph, her ongoing role in Marvel's "Kraven the Hunter," and her upcoming movie "Two and Only."

In her recent chat with Deadline, DeBose discussed the rush of emotions she felt when she heard her name announced on the Oscar's stage as the winner of the Best Supporting Actress for her role as Anita in Steven Spielberg's musical "West Side Story."

"That moment was really wild," she recalled. "I think I just remember. And then I got up there and looked out and realized people were standing, and I was just like, "Oh God, please sit down." And then I realized there was a thing counting me down, and I'm like, "But I haven't said anything I want to say, so get it out."

After getting over the initial nerves she felt, DeBose gave a speech befitting the moment and has now expressed happiness at how it all panned out well.

"I think it might have been one of the most validating experiences of my career, potentially my life thus far, because I was given the opportunity to say what I wanted to say," she added. "I was there to represent our film, which I'm incredibly proud of, but I was also representing myself. And it was a culmination of a very long journey. "

DeBose is currently in London shooting her part in Sony's "Kraven the Hunter" after joining the cast of the superhero blockbuster in March earlier this year. She plays Calypso, a voodoo priestess who is a love interest for Kraven (Aaron Taylor-Johnson)

The 31-year-old's role in the film not only marks her debut in the superhero genre but would also give fans a fresh take on her acting talents, given that she had spent over a decade starring in Broadway pieces and other musicals.

While this may appear unfamiliar to Debose, she revealed her readiness to forgo her former experiences and chart a new course. For the actress, she does not plan to "fit a box" but rather "discover the box and to define the box," a clear indication of her willingness to evolve.

DeBose will star in and co-produce "Two and Only," in addition to her present role in Sony's Kraven the Hunter. Jen Rivas-DeLoose, a Latina and LGBTQ+ writer – recognized for writing Netflix's "Selena: The Series" on Netflix – wrote the project's original screenplay.

The plot of the film is characterized as "My Best Friend's Wedding with a Bisexual Latinx POV," but nothing more is known about it. DeBose grew up watching the 1997 rom-com and is excited to leverage its premise to develop a new story that will focus on the LGBTQ+ community.

"I really loved Jen's script because we don't see stories that are authentically from a bisexual perspective every day," she told the publication. "So, I thought it was a really fun opportunity to explore that, and, as an executive producer, to make sure that you're bringing an accurate voice to the film so that it speaks to more people and have a little fun while doing it.

Looking to the future, bigger things surely lay ahead for DeBose. Her trophy cabinet is already quite heavy under the weight of her recent award wins. Hence, she is left with etching her place as a legend in the film industry.

To achieve this, the actress is taking her own unique approach, jettisoning the allure of taking on roles just for an A-list producer or genre but rather looking to tell stories that are overall impactful and would also allow her the benefit of having fun while at it.

In her words, "I am focused on what I'm signing up to do, and if I have synergy, chemistry and creative inspiration with the people already signed up," adding, "if I'm lucky, I will get to be Judi Dench's age and I will still be making work. She's the dream."

DeBose understands that taking such an approach might increase the likelihood of having a few duds in her career. However, she plans on owning them every step of the way.