Ariana DeBose wins for her performance as Anita in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story. She bested Oscar contenders Jessie Buckley (The Lost Daughter), Judi Dench (Belfast), Kirsten Dunst (The Power of the Dog) and Aunjanue Ellis (King Richard). The award was the first of the night, and was presented by Daniel Kaluuya and H.E.R.
Spielberg’s West Side Story takes place in San Juan Hill and Lincoln Square in the 60s, at the time when much of the area was being demolished. The tensions between the neighborhood’s white and Puerto Rican residents are a result of the shrinking space – there isn’t enough to go around for both groups of people. Bernado (David Alvarez), leader of the Sharks, warns his sister Maria (Rachel Zegler) to never look at a “gringo”, which of course means that she does exactly when she goes to a dance with Anita (DeBose) and Bernado. She exchanges glances with Tony (Ansel Elgort), a former Jet trying to lead a normal life, the pair fall in love, and the rest is history.
When receiving the award, DeBose said to Spielberg: “Thank you Steven Spielberg. You’re stuck with me now!” The actress has dominated this awards season, winning the Best Supporting Actress award at the BAFTAs, the SAG awards and the Golden Globes. DeBose’s win marks the second time an actress has won an Oscar playing the role of Anita. Rita Morena first won the Oscar in 1962 for her performance as Anita in that film version of West Side Story.
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