Costume designer Paul Tazewell has etched his name in the history books, becoming the first Black man to win an Academy Award for Best Costume Design.
The seasoned designer took home the award at the 97th Oscars on Sunday for his breathtaking work on ‘Wicked’.
This win marks his first Oscar victory and second nomination after previously being recognized for ‘West Side Story’, directed by Steven Spielberg.
During his acceptance speech, the crowd rose to their feet, honoring his achievement with a standing ovation.
READ ALSO: See full list of winners at the 97th Oscars
“I’m the first Black man to receive the costume design award,” he declared, soaking in the moment. “I’m so proud of this.”
Speaking backstage, Tazewell described the win as the peak of his career, reflecting on the struggles he faced in an industry where he had no Black male role model to look up to.
“I’ve been designing costumes for over 35 years — that has been on Broadway, and now it’s film,” he said.
“There was never a Black male designer who I saw that I could follow and see as an inspiration. But to realize now that it’s actually me.”
The designer’s journey to the Oscars has been paved with remarkable achievements.
Before this historic win, he bagged major industry awards, including a BAFTA, Critics’ Choice, and the Costume Designers Guild Award.
His victory makes him the second Black person to ever win the Best Costume Design category, following Ruth E. Carter’s groundbreaking win for ‘Black Panther’ in 2018.
“She has paved the way for designers of color,” Tazewell acknowledged.
Tazewell, widely known for his mastery in costume design, has built an impressive career spanning theatre and film. He won an Emmy in 2018 for ‘The Wiz Live!’ and a Tony Award for ‘Hamilton’.
His creative brilliance has shaped some of Broadway’s biggest productions, including *The Color Purple, In the Heights, MJ the Musical, Suffs,* and *A Streetcar Named Desire*.
He first transitioned into feature films with the 2019 movie *Harriet*, where he worked alongside Cynthia Erivo.
Expressing gratitude for the support he received on *Wicked*, he gave a heartfelt shoutout to the film’s stars, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.
“To my muses, Cynthia and Ariana, and all the other cast—thank you for trusting me with bringing your characters to life. This is everything.”
