Paul Tazewell Makes History as First Black Winner of Best Costume Design at 97th Oscars for Wicked

Paul Tazewell has made history at the 97th Academy Awards by becoming the first Black man to win the Oscar for Best Costume Design. His remarkable work on the film adaptation of Wicked earned him this prestigious accolade marking a major milestone in his illustrious career.

This win is Tazewell’s first Oscar and his second nomination following his nomination for West Side Story. His acceptance speech was met with multiple standing ovations as he proudly stated, 

“I’m the first Black man to receive the costume design award. I’m so proud of this.”

Tazewell reflected on his journey describing this moment as the pinnacle of his career. With over 35 years of experience designing costumes for Broadway and now film, he expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to inspire aspiring Black costume designers. “There was never a Black male designer I could look up to when I started. But now, to realize that I am that figure for others is incredibly humbling,” he shared.

Before securing the Oscar, Tazewell dominated the awards season, winning at the BAFTA Awards, Critics Choice Awards, and Costume Designers Guild Awards. He is only the second Black person to win in this category following Ruth E. Carter’s historic Black Panther win in 2018. Carter later became the first Black woman to win two Oscars in 2023 a trailblazing achievement that Tazewell acknowledged: “She has paved the way for designers of color.”

For Wicked, Tazewell designed over a thousand costumes breathing new life into the Broadway classic. His standout creations included Glinda’s iconic bubble dress and Elphaba’s striking black ensemble, which symbolized her grief and individuality. He thanked Wicked stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in his acceptance speech saying “To my muses, Cynthia and Ariana, and the entire cast thank you for trusting me to bring your characters to life. This means everything.”

Tazewell’s legendary career spans theater and film, with an Emmy win for The Wiz Live and a Tony for Hamilton. His notable stage work includes The Color Purple, In the Height, MJ the Musical, Suffs and A Streetcar Named Desire. 

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