Ariana DeBose now has another big award to add to her quickly growing collection.
Yesterday (Mar 27), the West Side Story actress took the stage at the 94th Academy Awards to accept the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role as “Anita” in the Steven Spielberg remake of the 1961 film.
“What is this?! Now you see why that Anita says, ‘I want to be in America,’ because even in this weary world that we live in, dreams do come true, and that’s really a heartening thing right now,” DeBose said excitedly.
“If I took the time to say thank you to every single beautiful person who has lifted me up on this stage, you fine people would be sitting here until next Oscars, so I’m not going to do that, but just allow me to say that it was the summer of a lifetime and I am that most privileged and grateful to have spent it will all of you.”
She continued to thank both her director and Rita Moreno, who also won an Oscar 60 years ago for her role as the original Anita. “My god. Thank you, Steven Spielberg. You’re stuck with me now. Thank you, Kristie Macosko Krieger and Tony Kushner and the divine inspiration that is Rita Moreno, you are staring at me right now, and I’m so grateful your Anita paved the way for tons of Anitas like me. And I love you so much.”
The Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role goes to… #Oscars pic.twitter.com/uFBNyTThG0
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 28, 2022
The actress also took the chance to thank her family and her partner since 2019, Sue.
“I’m gonna wrap this up and talk about my family. My mother who is here tonight. Mama, I love you with my whole heart. And this is as much yours as it is mine,” the 31-year-old said. “Some of my tribesman, my family, my love, Sue, Jonathan, Diana, Anthony Calamita, I couldn’t do what I do without each and every one of you.”
She also used her speech to speak to the younger generations who might have been watching the award show, telling them that there is a place for them and everyone in the world.
“Lastly, imagine this little girl in the backseat of a white Ford Focus, you see a queer, openly queer woman of color, an 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 anybody 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.”
This win makes DeBose the second Latina to win “Best Supporting Actress” at the Oscars aside from her co-star Moreno, but this win also makes her the first fully out LGBT Afro-Latinx person to win an Oscar.
What do you think about Ariana DeBose winning Best Supporting Actress at this year’s Oscars? Let us know by leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sending us a tweet at @celebsecrets.
The Oscar for Actress in a Supporting Role goes to Ariana DeBose for her exceptional performance in 'West Side Story.' #Oscars @ArianaDeBose pic.twitter.com/ZydSL3LD3m
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 28, 2022
