Ariana DeBose won Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards last night - a whole 60 years after Rita Moreno won an Oscar for the same role!
Following in 90-year-old Moreno's footsteps several decades later, the 31-year-old first-time nominee accepted the Academy Award for her portrayal of Anita in the 2021 film adaptation of West Side Story, directed by Steven Spielberg.
In 1962, the legendary actress made history as the first Latina Oscar winner at the 34th Academy Awards. And Moreno also appeared in the 2021 remake in a new role created just for her.
At last night's ceremony, her younger counterpart also made history as the first openly queer woman of color to win an Oscar.
Check out her heartfelt speech below:Accepting the award last night, DeBose poignantly 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, an Afro-Latina, who found her strength and life through art.
"And that is, I think, what we’re here to celebrate. 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."
She went on to say: "Now you see why 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."
The Hamilton star's speech also included a nod to "the divine inspiration that is Rita Moreno," who was in attendance at the event last night and watched as DeBose accepted the award. "I'm so grateful your Anita paved the way for tons of Anitas like me, and I love you so much."
In winning the award at Sunday's 94th Academy Awards ceremony, she beat out the following other nominees: Jessie Buckley (The Lost Daughter), Kirsten Dunst (The Power of the Dog), Aunjanue Ellis (King Richard), and Judi Dench (Belfast).
Per Variety, speaking to reporters backstage following the ceremony, DeBose opened up further about the "historical moment".
She said: "I’m an openly queer woman of color — and not for nothing, that’s freaking awesome, you guys."
The actor went on to refer to herself as the "second Latina to win an acting award" after Moreno. "And I think that just proves that there’s space for us. It’s a beautiful moment to be seen. And I’m really honored by that."
