The legendary Rita Moreno made movie history 60 years ago when she became the first Latina to win an Academy Award for her iconic performance as Anita in West Side Story. Sixty years later, Ariana DeBose has made more history in her joyful interpretation of the role in the 2021 remake, becoming the first Afro Latina, and first openly queer woman of color, to win the Oscar.
DeBose acknowledged the accomplishments in her speech. “You know, what, what is this?! You know what, now I 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,” she said Sunday. “And that's really a heartening thing right now.”
“Imagine this little girl in the back seat of a white Ford Focus, look into her eyes: You see a queer, openly queer woman of color, an Afro Latina who found her strength in life through art,” DeBose continued. “And that's what I believe we're here to celebrate. Yeah, 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.”
DeBose paid tribute to Moreno, who appeared in and executive produced the 2021 remake. They are both now also “part of a small group of pairs of actors who’ve won an Academy Award for playing the same character,” NBC News reported. DeBose during her speech called Moreno her “divine inspiration.”
”You are staring at me right now and I'm so grateful,” she told Moreno, who was in the audience. “Your Anita paved the way the way for tons of Anitas like me. And I love you so much.” DeBose collected numerous awards leading up to Sunday, including a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, and a Screen Actors Guild award, “the first Latina to win a film award from the guild,” NBC News reported at the time. Moreno is the first Latina to “EGOT,” to win the entertainment industry’s top awards (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony).
LGBTQ organizations acknowledged DeBose’s historic win this week, calling her an “immensely talented actress and a tremendous advocate for LGBTQ people and people of color.” DeBose has previously discussed the importance of LGBTQ representation on the screen. “I always want young people to be able to look at this character and see themselves in it,” she told Pop Sugar in 2020.
”She not only made history tonight as the first queer woman of color to win an Oscar, but she sent a beautiful and timely message to LGBTQ young people,” GLAAD President Sarah Kate Ellis said. “I hope LGBTQ youth around the world saw her win, heard her speak and recognize that they too should dream big.”
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Ellis also acknowledged support from Jessica Chastain, who won Best Actress for her portrayal of the late televangelist and LGBTQ icon Tammy Faye Messner. Chastain during her acceptance speech pointed to the slew of hateful anti-LGBTQ bills pushed by Republican lawmakers in states around the nation.
“We're faced with discriminatory and bigoted legislation that is sweeping our country with the only goal of further dividing us,” Chastain said. “And in times like this, I think of Tammy and I'm inspired by her radical acts of love.” Messner notably interviewed a gay man with AIDS in 1985, a moment depicted in the movie. During that interview, Messner acknowledged failure by Christians to genuinely accept people with AIDS, or simply “go up and put an arm around them and tell them that we care.” Still married to convicted criminal Jim Bakker at the time, Messner’s interview with Steve Pieters was broadcast to millions of their Praise The Lord network viewers.
“And for any of you out there who do in fact feel hopeless or alone, I just want you to know you are unconditionally loved for the uniqueness that is you,” Chastian said.
DeBose acknowledged the accomplishments in her speech. “You know, what, what is this?! You know what, now I 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,” she said Sunday. “And that's really a heartening thing right now.”
“Imagine this little girl in the back seat of a white Ford Focus, look into her eyes: You see a queer, openly queer woman of color, an Afro Latina who found her strength in life through art,” DeBose continued. “And that's what I believe we're here to celebrate. Yeah, 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.”
DeBose paid tribute to Moreno, who appeared in and executive produced the 2021 remake. They are both now also “part of a small group of pairs of actors who’ve won an Academy Award for playing the same character,” NBC News reported. DeBose during her speech called Moreno her “divine inspiration.”
”You are staring at me right now and I'm so grateful,” she told Moreno, who was in the audience. “Your Anita paved the way the way for tons of Anitas like me. And I love you so much.” DeBose collected numerous awards leading up to Sunday, including a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, and a Screen Actors Guild award, “the first Latina to win a film award from the guild,” NBC News reported at the time. Moreno is the first Latina to “EGOT,” to win the entertainment industry’s top awards (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony).
LGBTQ organizations acknowledged DeBose’s historic win this week, calling her an “immensely talented actress and a tremendous advocate for LGBTQ people and people of color.” DeBose has previously discussed the importance of LGBTQ representation on the screen. “I always want young people to be able to look at this character and see themselves in it,” she told Pop Sugar in 2020.
”She not only made history tonight as the first queer woman of color to win an Oscar, but she sent a beautiful and timely message to LGBTQ young people,” GLAAD President Sarah Kate Ellis said. “I hope LGBTQ youth around the world saw her win, heard her speak and recognize that they too should dream big.”
YouTube Video
Ellis also acknowledged support from Jessica Chastain, who won Best Actress for her portrayal of the late televangelist and LGBTQ icon Tammy Faye Messner. Chastain during her acceptance speech pointed to the slew of hateful anti-LGBTQ bills pushed by Republican lawmakers in states around the nation.
“We're faced with discriminatory and bigoted legislation that is sweeping our country with the only goal of further dividing us,” Chastain said. “And in times like this, I think of Tammy and I'm inspired by her radical acts of love.” Messner notably interviewed a gay man with AIDS in 1985, a moment depicted in the movie. During that interview, Messner acknowledged failure by Christians to genuinely accept people with AIDS, or simply “go up and put an arm around them and tell them that we care.” Still married to convicted criminal Jim Bakker at the time, Messner’s interview with Steve Pieters was broadcast to millions of their Praise The Lord network viewers.
“And for any of you out there who do in fact feel hopeless or alone, I just want you to know you are unconditionally loved for the uniqueness that is you,” Chastian said.