www.hnmagazine.com HISPANIC NETWORK MAGAZINE
115
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singer, dancer and actress Ariana DeBose has been a beloved figure amongst the Broadway community for years. Up until recently, DeBose was best known for her portrayals in musicals both on stage and film, including her incredible work as The Bullet in the hit musical, Hamilton , and as Alyssa Greene in Netflix's adaptation of The Prom . But recently, this icon has been smashing glass ceilings and rising in popu- larity from her recent portrayal of Anita in Steven Spielbergs production of West Side Story . This last Oscar season, Ariana DeBose took home the won the award for Best Supporting Actress for her work as Anita. This not only makes DeBose a part of the first pair of women to win an Oscar for the portrayal of the same character, but the first openly queer actress to ever receive an Oscar as Best Supporting Actress. DeBoses nomination in the category additionally made her the only openly queer candidate in this category in 2021. DeBoses Oscar win follows her numerous other awards for her portrayal as Anita includ- ing a Critics Choice Award, a Golden Globe and a SAG Award. Imagine this little girl in the back seat of a white Ford Focus, DeBose stated in her Oscars acceptance speech, Look into her eyes, you see a queer, openly queer woman of color and Afro-Latina who found her strength in life through art, and thats what I believe were here to celebrate. DeBose, even prior to her work on West Side Story has been praised for the repre- sentation to brings to the Black, Hispanic and LGBTQ+ communities in media and her advocacy on human rights issues. In the midst of filming and the uncertainties of the pandemic, DeBose and The Prom co-star Jo Ellen Pellman established the Unruly Hearts Initiative, which works to help the public, especially young people, to connect with organizations that advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. The organization also offers easy ways for the public to donate directly to organizations that work to hep the LGBTQ+ community such as The Trevor Project, Point Foundation and Covenant House. In addition to her recent successes as Anita, DeBoses career is bringing even more rep- resentation to her communities. Her acting career is continuing to skyrocket, not only appearing as a recent host on the acclaimed television series, Saturday Night Live , but in a reoccurring role in the newest season of the hit television show, Westworld , and a central character in the Sony/Marvel collaboration ilm, Kraven the Hunter . DeBose has additionally been recognized by Time Magazine as part of their presti- gious list of the 100 Most Influential People of the Year and was recently named a part of Time Magazine 's 100 Most Influential People of 2022 and was the official host of the 75th Annual Tony Awards, the most pres- tigious awards ceremony in the Broadway community. After giving thanks to her cast, family and friends during her acceptance speech, DeBose made sure to end her speech with a message to individuals who saw themselves in her. So, to anybody who has ever questioned your identity ever, ever, ever or find yourself living in the grey spaces, DeBose said at the close of her speech, I promise you this: there is indeed a place for us.
Sources: NPR, WRAL, CNN, Unruly Hearts, Wikipedia, Oscars Official YouTube Channel
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