Oscars, one of the most significant and prestigious awards in the entertainment industry worldwide. The award was originally sculpted by George Stanley, first presented in 1929, the oldest and most prestigious entertainment awards ceremony, and is now televised life worldwide.
The journey of becoming successful and achieving this academy award for Black actresses worldwide is long and hard. Although a lot of actresses have made it to the top, getting there as a Black woman wasn’t easy. Here’s a list of 5 black actresses that beat the odds and changed history:
Hattie McDaniel
Hattie McDaniel became the first Black person to win an Oscar for Gone with the Wind in1940. She was forced to sit in the backroom at the Academy Awards. She wasn’t allowed to attend the premiere and received a lot of criticism for playing the “Mammy”. But still, she is for Black representation in the Hollywood industry.
Whoopi Goldberg
Before being an established host on the View, Whoopi Goldberg established herself as a successful actress. Before her fame, many people followed her acting skills because of her looks and skin color. But she didn’t let that stop her and soon became one of the few actresses who has ever won an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony award. Goldberg won Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Ghost in 1990.
Halle Berry
Berry became the first Black actress to win an Oscar for Best Actress for her role in, 2002 for “Monster’s Ball. She remains the only Black woman to win in this category. Beginning her career in the early ’90s, Berry became known for her ability to transform into any role. She soon began to gain recognition and has starred in over 45 movies.
Cassandra Monique Batie
Cassandra Monique Batie is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. In 2015, she released her debut album, Cheers to the Fall. In 2021, she portrayed Billie Holiday in the biopic The United States vs. Billie Holiday, winning the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama and receiving a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress. Her stage name was inspired by Holiday’s nickname “Lady Day.”
Cynthia Erivo
Cynthia Erivo is an English actress, singer, and songwriter. She is the recipient of several accolades, including a Daytime Emmy Award, a Grammy Award, and a Tony Award, in addition to nominations for two Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. Erivo received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress; she also wrote and performed the song “Stand Up” on its soundtrack, which garnered her a nomination in the Best Original Song category.
