Jennifer Hudson, you are no longer alone. The former “American Idol” star won Best Supporting Actress for “Dreamgirls” in 2007 becoming the first reality competition contestant to win an Academy Award. In 2009, “West Side Story’s” Ariana DeBose made it to the top 20 of “So You Think You Can Dance,” 13 years later, she’s also a Best Supporting Actress Oscar winner.
DeBose is also the second woman to win an Oscar for playing Anita in a film adaptation of the famed musical. In 1962, Rita Moreno won her first and only Academy Award for the original Robert Wise directed Best Picture winner. Steven Spielberg helmed this new version which landed seven nominations overall.
The 31-year-old actress, singer, and dancer is also one of the few out actors to win an Oscar. DeBose, who identifies as queer, is the first winner of an acting category to publicly identify herself as queer, gay, or bisexual before winning. Winners such as Kevin Spacey, Sir John Gielgud, Jodie Foster, Marlon Brando, and others, were outed or came out publicly years after their wins.
A 2018 Tony Award nominee for “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical,” DeBose dominated the precursor awards this season taking the SAG Award, BAFTA Award, Critics Choice, and Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress. She also won Best Supporting Actress from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association.
On Broadway, DeBose has appeared in “Motown: The Musical,” “Hamilton” and “A Bronx Tale.” Her other film and television credits include “The Prom” and “Schmigadoon!”
“West Side Story” is available on HBO Max and Disney Plus.
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