LOS ANGELES — Ariana DeBose lived up to Oscar predictions and her "West Side Story" predecessor Rita Moreno.
DeBose won the best supporting actress trophy Sunday for her breakout performance as the fierce Anita, 60 years after Moreno claimed the award in 1962 for the original film version of the Broadway musical.
"Yikes, OK!" DeBose said, holding the statuette up in triumph. "Now you see why Anita says, `I want to be in America.’ Because even in this weary world that we live in, dreams do come true. And that’s really a heartening thing right now."
DeBose gave a shoutout to Moreno, who attended the ceremony.
"I am so grateful your Anita paved the way for tons of Anitas like me," she said. Moreno was an Oscar pioneer, the first Latina to win an acting award.
DeBose is a groundbreaker in her own right, the first Afro-Latina and openly LGBTQ actor to win in the category. In her acceptance speech, DeBose said she found her "strength in life through art."
"To anybody who has ever questioned your identity," she said, "I promise you there is a place for us."
Largely unknown in film circles before landing the coveted role, the 31-year-old North Carolina native became the clear Oscar favorite after an awards season full of victories. She was previously primarily known as a stage actress, with Broadway roles in "Bring It On: The Musical," "Motown: The Musical" and "Hamilton."
DeBose’s Oscar makes the third time that two actors have earned trophies for playing the same role, following Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker, and Marlon Brando and Robert DeNiro as Vito Corleone.
Earlier this month, DeBose said she considered it important and "thrilling" to see Latino screen achievement celebrated after it was largely snubbed in 2021.
Progress means "gexjmtzywtting people in front of the camera and behind the camera and into the writers’ rooms and in positions of power, so we can continue to tell our stories in an authentic" and expansive way, she told The Associated Press.
Moreno gave her helpful and concise advice before the ceremony.
"She just said, `Enjoy it, honey!"’ DeBose told AP.
Other nominees in the category were Jessie Buckley for "The Lost Daughter"; Judi Dench, "Belfast"; Kirsten Dunst, "The Power of the Dog" and Aunjanue Ellis, "King Richard."
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Ariana DeBose accepts the award for best performance by an actress in a supporting role for “West Side Story” at the Oscars on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
