We are nearing the crescendo of a very long, very pandemic-y awards season, as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, aka The Academy, released the 2021 Oscars nominations. And though plenty of folks predicted this year could be a historical one, in terms of diversity and inclusivity, those prognosticators were actually right. In terms of inclusivity and diversity, the 2021 Oscars are shaping up to be a historical ceremony for Hollywood, which comes just several years after the awards show was called out for its extreme lack of non-white male nominees.
So, let’s take a look at a few of the categories and the historical nature of the nominees:
Best Director
Thomas Vinterberg, “Another Round”
David Fincher, “Mank”
Lee Isaac Chung, “Minari”
Chloé Zhao, “Nomadland”
Emerald Fennell, “Promising Young Woman”
First, it can’t be understated how refreshing it is to see one of the least-diverse categories, historically, become one of the more diverse and inclusive in 2021. However, there is actual history on two fronts in the Best Director category. Chloé Zhao becomes the first Asian woman and first woman of color to ever be nominated in the category. And for the first time in history, two women have been included in the Best Director category, as Zhao is joined by Emerald Fennell.
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Viola Davis, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”
Andra Day, “The United States vs. Billie Holiday”
Vanessa Kirby, “Pieces of a Woman”
Frances McDormand, “Nomadland”
Carey Mulligan, “Promising Young Woman”
In the Best Actress category, the big news is that both Viola Davis and Andra Day scored nominations. This marks only the second time that two Black women have been nominated in the Best Actress category in the same year. (The first was in 1972 with Diana Ross and Cicely Tyson.) In addition, Viola Davis earned her fourth Oscars nomination, making her the most nominated Black actress in history.
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Riz Ahmed, “Sound of Metal”
Chadwick Boseman, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”
Anthony Hopkins, “The Father”
Gary Oldman, “Mank”
Steven Yeun, “Minari”
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When you look at the Best Actor category, what immediately stands out is that Gary Oldman and Anthony Hopkins are the only two white men to land nominations. That’s definitely something worth noting, as the Best Actor noms have a couple of other historical milestones. First, Steven Yeun becomes the first Asian-American to land a Best Actor nomination. Riz Ahmed becomes the first person of Pakistani descent to score a nomination in the category.
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Maria Bakalova, “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm”
Glenn Close, “Hillbilly Elegy”
Olivia Colman, “The Father”
Amanda Seyfried, “Mank”
Yuh-Jung Youn, “Minari”
In the Best Supporting Actress category, the big story is that Yuh-Jung Youn landed a nomination, becoming the first Korean person to ever be nominated in an acting category.
Overall, when you tally all the acting categories, people of color earned a record 9 nominations. Keep in mind, this is only one year after Cynthia Erivo was the ONLY non-white actor to earn a nomination.
The Oscars will be handed out on April 25.
