Nine years ago, user April Reign created the Twitter hashtag "#OscarsSoWhite" after noticing a lack of people of color nominees at the 87th Academy Awards. A year later, the list of all-white nominees prompted the return of the hashtag and media backlash, resulting in the Academy voting to increase diversity within its membership and governance policies.
The Academy's growing inclusion of diversity in membership and film requirements has led to several unique films and performances being nominated and awarded at subsequent ceremonies. As the 96th Academy Awards ceremony date of March 10 approaches, let's take a look at some of the women of color nominated at this year's ceremony.
Danielle Brooks, "The Color Purple"
In 2011, Simpsonville, South Carolina native Danielle Brooks graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from The Juilliard School. Two years later, Brooks landed her breakthrough role as Tasha "Taystee" Jefferson in Netflix's, "Orange is the New Black."
Brooks' breakthrough launched a steady career for her in film, television and theater. Since 2013, she has starred in two Broadway productions and joined the DC Universe as Leota Adebayo in "Peacemaker." In 2025, she will star in the live-action adaptation of the best-selling game, "Minecraft," which is currently in production.
This year, Brooks received her first Oscar nomination for her role as Sofia in Blitz Bazawule's "The Color Purple." The role is a reprised performance from her portrayal of Sofia in the Broadway production of the novel, which earned her a Tony Award nomination.
America Ferrera, “Barbie”
After delivering one of 2023's most memorable monologues in film, America Ferrera received her first Academy Award nod for her portrayal of Gloria in Greta Gerwig's "Barbie."
Ferrera's interest in acting emerged in high school, where she took acting lessons and performed in school play productions. Her official career began after she landed a role in Disney Channel's "Gotta Kick It Up!" (2002) and Patricia Cardoso's "Real Women Have Curves" (2002). However, it was not until her portrayal of aspiring fashion journalist Betty Suarez in ABC's "Ugly Betty" in 2006 that her career soared.
Ferrera earned many nominations and accolades for her role as Betty, including wins at the Golden Globes, Primetime Emmys and Screen Actors Guild in 2007. At the Emmys, Ferrera became the first (and currently, only) Latina woman to win in the Lead Actress category.
Future projects for Ferrera include two voice roles in animation — as Major Olga Solis in Pixar's "Elio" and Ranger Morales in season three of Marvel's "What If?..."
Lily Gladstone, "Killers of the Flower Moon"
Lily Gladstone's moving performance as Mollie Kyle in Martin Scorcese's "Killers of the Flower Moon" led her to become the first Native American woman nominated in the Best Actress category at the Oscars. The role has become Gladstone's breakthrough performance after nearly 11 years in the film and television industries.
Gladstone's passion for acting sparked at age five when she wanted to portray the fictional Ewok character in the "Star Wars" universe. From there, Gladstone took to local and school theater groups to perform. Her undergraduate career at the University of Montana sparked a love for Theatre of the Oppressed, a practice created by Brazilian practitioner Augusto Boal, where the audience is invited to engage with political realities.
Her acting career has included roles in "Winter in the Blood" (2013) and "The Unknown Country" (2022), which she co-wrote. She also hosted film production courses in John and Hank Green's "Crash Course" YouTube series.
Upcoming projects for Gladstone include a role in Reed Morano's "The Memory Police," which is written by Charlie Kaufman, and a minor role in the TV mini-series "Under the Bridge" expected to be released this year.
Celine Song, "Past Lives"
Korean-Canadian creative Celine Song seemingly took the world by storm with her directorial debut film "Past Lives" (2023). The film centers on childhood friends Nora Moon (Greta Lee) and Hae Sung (Teo Yoo) and their complicated, almost romantic relationship.
Song was born in South Korea but moved to Canada with her parents when she was 12. She was surrounded by art her whole childhood, as her parents owned a craft and accessories shop in Markham, Ontario. Her father, Song Neung-han, was also a filmmaker in Korea and helped many actors (such as Song Kang-ho) get their start in the industry.
In 2019, Song wrote the off-Broadway play “Endings,” which premiered at the American Repertory Theater. In 2020, she created an experimental play within The Sims 4 based on Anton Chekhov's "The Seagull."
Song was nominated for Best Original Screenplay for "Past Lives" at the 96th Oscars while the film received an additional nomination for Best Picture. She is currently working on another film, also distributed by A24, titled "The Materialists."
Da'Vine Joy Randolph, "The Holdovers"
Da'Vine Joy Randolph began her acting career in the 2012 Broadway production of "Ghost," where she portrayed Oda Mae Brown. Her portrayal of a medium earned her a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. She went on to play a nurse in "The Angriest Man in Brooklyn" (2014) and a main role in the cult-followed TV series "Selfie" that same year.
Following roles in "Office Christmas Party" (2016), "People of Earth" and "The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show," she landed her breakthrough roles as Lady Reed in "Dolemite Is My Name" (2019) and Detective Williams in Hulu's "Only Murders in the Building."
Randolph's biggest acclaimed role came in 2023 when she portrayed the grieving cook Mary Lamb in "The Holdovers." The performance was lauded by critics, swayed by the relatability and subtle transformation of the character. She has earned many nominations within award circles for her role while almost unanimously winning in supporting categories during this year's award season. Most recently, the role earned Randolph her first Academy Award nomination at the 96th Oscars.
Next for Randolph includes two films in post-production: "Shadow Force" and "Bride Hard."
