At 2021’s Academy Awards ceremony, a 33-year-old actress, singer, dancer, and choreographer made history by becoming the first performer of color to be nominated for a FilmChoreography Oscar. Her name – Ariana DeBose. This recognition marks the first time in the 93 year history of the awards that a performer of color has been nominated.
Who is Ariana DeBose?
Ariana grew up in Raleigh, NC and was involved in the performing arts from a very young age. She started out in theater and community productions, eventually going on to star in Broadway musicals like Hamilton, Bring It On and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical. As a vibrant and charismatic actor and dancer, Ariana made a name for herself on the Broadway scene.
Her outstanding performance in West Side Story ultimately attracted the attention of choreographer and filmmaker Steven Spielberg, who had recently started to work on a new adaptation of the classic movie. Thanks to his invitation to audition, Ariana scored the role of Anita in the remake, marking her Hollywood film debut.
Ariana’s Choreography Work
Before starring in West Side Story, DeBose had already begun to establish a name for herself in the world of dance and choreography. She had already worked with some of the world’s most renowned choreographers, including tWitch Boss, Christopher ‘LIL’ Buck Riley, Sheryl Murakami and Casey Nicholaw among others. Her work has been featured in productions such as the American Ballet Theatre, the New York City Ballet, as well as on television shows like So You Think You Can Dance
Before West Side Story, she was also doing a number of live shows and tours, including from RuPaul’s Drag Race, which certainly helped her acquire the necessary experience to take on more challenging choreography roles.
Choreography for West Side Story
Steven Spielberg chose DeBose to choreograph the incredibly iconic dance sequences for the 2021 version of West Side Story, taking over from Jerome Robbins’ original choreography from the 1961 version. DeBose was also included in the movie’s credits as one of the key choreographers.
Before staring her work for the movie, DeBose expressed her admiration for both the choreography given by Jerome Robbins and the incredibly iconic soundtrack of Leonard Bernstein. She then worked diligently to create a sequence of never seen before, yet jubilant and enthralling arrangements, mixing and combining a unique Latin style with the classic elements of West Side Story.
History Making Oscar Nomination
Ariana DeBose’s work in West Side Story garnered her an Academy Award nomination in the category of Film Choreography. Thanks to this, as well as the movie’s nomination as Best Picture of the Year, DeBose has become the first performer of color to be honored with such an important recognition.
Positive Impact
Ariana DeBose’s tremendous Oscar nomination for the film choreography category is an incredibly symbolic and important milestone for the Latin diaspora, as well as for people of color in the performing arts overall. This nomination not only highlights her own talent and hard work, but also the tremendous hard work of so many other performers of color who have strived to bring their visions to the big screen.
DeBose’s incredible milestone has inspired many, especially people of color, for a new wave of creators who are not afraid to speak up and be daring in their work. With her nomination, DeBose has opened up a new set of doors that were previously closed to performers of color.
Ariana DeBose’s Successful Career
While this immense recognition is a major milestone in her career, it is surely not the only one. DeBose is an accomplished actress, singer, and dancer, who has graced the world’s biggest stages and performed alongside stars such as Tina Fey, Beyoncé, and Paul Simon.
She has been seen on TV shows like High Maintenance, The Bold Type, and theatre productions like Hamilton, Bring It On and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical. In 2020, she was the recipient of the National Society of Arts and Letters 2020 Dance Award, again reinforcing her career success.
Looking Ahead
Since her nomination for the Academy Awards, Ariana DeBose’s star continues to shine brighter and brighter. She is certainly an amazing example of hard work, artistry, and resilience for all aspiring performers – especially for those of color. DeBose’s Oscar-nominated performance in West Side Story is only one chapter in a fascinating career journey.
As she continues to both diversify and expand her skills, it will be exciting to see what’s next in this entertainer’s storied career. Her Oscar nomination is sure to open up many new opportunities and inspirations.
Ariana DeBose’s story is the proof that with plenty of dedication and determination, anything is possible. Her Academy Award-nominated performance has certainly not only opened up a new set of doors, but also set a precedent for future performers of color. We can’t wait to see what comes next in this wonderfully talented artist’s career!
