LOS ANGELES (AP) — Paul Tazewell made historical past on the Oscars, changing into the primary Black man to win greatest costume design.
Tazewell gained for his masterful design work in “Wicked” on the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday. It’s his first win and second nomination. He was beforehand nominated within the class for his work on Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story.”
“I’m the first Black man to receive the costume design award,” he mentioned in his acceptance speech, which was met with a pair standing ovations. “I’m so proud of this.”
Backstage, Tazewell mentioned successful the award is the top of his profession. He mentioned he feels humbled to encourage different Black males aspiring to develop into costume designers.
“I’ve been designing costumes for over 35 years — that has been on Broadway and now it’s film,” he mentioned. “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.”
Earlier than the Oscars, Tazewell gained awards at BAFTA, Critics Selection and Costume Designers Guild awards. He is the second Black individual to within the class after Ruth E. Carter made historical past for her work in 2018 for “Black Panther,” which made her the primary African American to win within the class.
Carter grew to become the primary Black girl to win two Oscars in 2023.
“She has paved the way for designers of color,” Tazewell mentioned.
In his acceptance speech, Tazewell thanked “Wicked” stars Ariana Grande and Cynthis Erivo.
“To my muses, Cynthia and Ariana and all the other cast,” he said. “Thank you for trusting me with bringing your characters to life. This is everything.”
Tazewell constructed a legendary profession, successful an Emmy in 2018 for his costume work on “The Wiz Live!” and a Tony for “Hamilton.” He labored with Erivo on the 2019 movie “Harriet,” which was his first function movie.
Tazewell, who has earned 9 Tony nominations, gained notoriety by way of theater tasks similar to “The Color Purple,” “In the Heights,” “MJ the Musical,” “Suffs” and “A Streetcar Named Desire.”
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