Ariana DeBose Is the First Out Woman of Color To Win Acting Oscar
West Side Story.She’s the first out queer woman of color to receive an award for acting at the Academy Awards.While accepting the award, DeBose told the audience, "Imagine this little girl in the backseat 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 arts. And that's what I believe we're here to celebrate.""So anybody who's ever questioned your identity ever, ever, ever or you find yourself living in the gray spaces: I promise you that there is indeed a place for us," she added.
Before Sunday, DeBose had already won awards in the Best Supporting Actress category of the Golden Globes, the BAFTAs, and the Screen Actors Guild Awards.DeBose was a favorite to win over the other actors in the category, which included Kirsten Dunst for The Power of The Dog, Jessie Buckley for The Lost Daughter, Judi Dench for Belfast, and Aunjanue Ellis for King Richard.It was DeBose’s first academy award nomination.
The awards were hosted by actors Regina Hall, Amy Schumer, and lesbian comedian Wanda Sykes.Born and raised in North Carolina, DeBose studied dance from age 3.
