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Oscars 2022: Ariana DeBose wins Best Supporting Actress, fans say 'THE GAYS WIN!'

Ariana DeBose becomes the first Afro-Latina and openly queer woman of color to win an Academy Award, paving the way for others!

ABC just aired the 94th Annual Academy Awards popularly known as the Oscars and the results for the Best Supporting Actress are in.  

The Oscars 2022 saw Jessie Buckley, Ariana DeBose, Judi Dench, Kirsten Duns, and Aunjanue Ellis nominated in the category for 'The Lost Daughter', 'West Side Story', 'Belfast', 'The Power of the Dog', and 'King Richard' respectively. This nomination marks DeBose's first nomination for her role of Anita who believes in the American Dream but after scarring events loses hope in it. 'West Side Story' was praised for its all-around perfection and performance with Ariana's nomination being one of seven nominations at the Oscars. 

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'West Side Story 'was nominated for several awards and won accolades from various organizations, critics' groups, and circles, particularly in recognition of the cast's performances. The 94th Academy Awards, saw the film receive seven nominations, including Best Picture, and also became the second adaptation of the same source material for a previous Best Picture winner to be nominated for the same award.

One major significance is that for her performance as DeBose became the first Afro-Latina and openly queer woman of color to win the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role as well as an Oscar now. She also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress Motion Picture, the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, and the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Supporting Actress. 

With her win, DeBose finds herself following in the footsteps of Rita Moreno, who first played the role of Anita on screen in 1961. Moreno also won the Oscar for best supporting actress on her way to securing an EGOT. Only two pairs of actors have won Oscars for playing the same character: Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro as Vito Corleone in “The Godfather” and “The Godfather Part II,” and Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker in “The Dark Knight” and “Joker.”

In her acceptance speech, she said that dreams indeed do come true. Touching upon her heritage she added that her role as Anita paved the way for many other Anitas in the world. Bringing up the fact that she is openly queer and Afro-Latina, she said, "There is indeed a place for us", which touched the hearts of many who were watching. Here's how fans reacted to her historic win!

A fan commented, "Great win for Ariana! I’m rooting for all the gays! -a fellow gay, K #Oscars", while another said, "I have seen the original West Side Story about 50 times. It's one of my mom's favorite movies & we watched it together & listened to the music growing up. I absolutely loved Steven Spielberg's re imagining and thought Araina Debose was incredible as Anita. Well deserved #Oscars". A tweet read, "OSCAR WINNER ARIANA DEBOSE!!!! THE GAYS WIN! <333 #Oscars".

Another fan said, "ARIANA DEBOSE MAKING HISTORY AS A QUEER WOMAN OF COLOR I AM AN EMOTIONAL MESS FUCK ME UP #Oscars", as another added, "What an absolutely perfect acceptance speech to start the #Oscars with. Ariana DeBose truly setting the standard early for tonight. Loved every bit of that speech." A tweet read, "Ariana DeBose's speech got me tearing up already #Oscars"/

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