Halle Berry, who made history in 2002 by becoming the first and only Black woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress, remains deeply disappointed that no other Black actress has followed in her footsteps. Berry earned the coveted Oscar for her remarkable performance in the 2001 film Monster’s Ball, a victory that many hoped would pave the way for greater recognition of Black actresses in leading roles. However, over two decades later, no Black woman has repeated her achievement.
In a recent interview with Marie Claire, Berry expressed her ongoing frustration with the lack of diversity in the Best Actress category at the Oscars. “I’m eternally miffed that no Black woman has come behind me for that best actress Oscar,” she said. “I’m continually saddened by that year after year… And it’s certainly not because there has been nobody deserving.”
Berry highlighted the exceptional performances of actresses like Andra Day in The United States vs. Billie Holiday and Viola Davis in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, arguing that these women were deserving of the top honor. She also previously mentioned Cynthia Erivo in Harriet and Ruth Negga in Loving as other Black actresses whose performances were Oscar-worthy.
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“I thought there were women that rightfully, arguably, could have, should have. I hoped they would have, but why it hasn’t gone that way, I don’t have the answer,” Berry reflected.
Despite the progress made in the supporting actress category—where Black actresses such as Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls), Mo’Nique (Precious), Octavia Spencer (The Help), Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave), and Regina King (If Beale Street Could Talk) have won—Berry’s frustration speaks to a broader issue of limited opportunities for Black women in leading roles.
Critics have pointed out that the lack of recognition for Black actresses in the Best Actress category is not necessarily due to a lack of talent, but rather a scarcity of strong, “Oscar-bait” roles available to them. The industry itself still struggles to offer Black women the same kind of high-profile, award-contending parts that are more readily available to white actresses.
While there has been some progress for Black male actors, such as Denzel Washington’s win for Training Day in 2001, Jamie Foxx for Ray in 2005, and most recently, Will Smith for King Richard in 2022, the recognition of Black women in lead roles remains a glaring omission at the Oscars.
