Another big win: NC native Ariana DeBose wins SAG award for ‘West Side Story’
Ariana DeBose added to her awards cache Sunday night, taking the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role for her role in “West Side Story.”
DeBose, who grew up in Raleigh and Wake Forest, has already won Golden Globe and Los Angeles Film Critic awards for “West Side Story” and is nominated for an Oscar. The Oscar ceremony is Sunday, March 27, on ABC.
DeBose is known for her stage work in “Hamilton” and “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical” and for the Netflix film “The Prom” and “Schmigadoon” on Apple TV+.
The 31-year-old triple-threat actress/dancer/singer plays Anita in the new Steven Spielberg film “West Side Story,” a remake of the Oscar-winning 1961 musical. It’s the same role for which Rita Moreno won an Oscar in 1962.
Also in DeBose’s Supporting Actor category were: Caitríona Balfe (“Belfast”), Cate Blanchett (“Nightmare Alley”), Kirsten Dunst (“The Power of the Dog”) and Ruth Negga (“Passing”).
Her award, the second of the night, was given by Martin Short and Selena Gomez.
“My heart’s beating in my chest right now,” DeBose said as she started her speech.
“It’s taken a long time for me to feel comfortable calling myself an actor,” she continued. “My roots come from the dance world and the Broadway stage, and the Anita that we see on the screen took every bit of me, but she took 10 years to make and I’m extremely proud of her and of our film. And I really do believe that when you recognize one of us, you recognize all of us in a way. So thank you SAG AFTRA for this recognition.”
DeBose then thanked her “West Side Story” colleagues and director Spielberg.
“Steven Spielberg, I mean, my god, thank you for believing in the possibility of not only my talent but that of my colleagues. Thank you to the entire cast and crew of ‘West Side Story’ because what a labor of love, and it’s a beautiful cinematic experience and I’m thrilled that people actually get to see it.”
DeBose also thanked everyone in the audience, adding “Dear God, hi Lady Gaga, you’re amazing.”
She continued: “I’ve watched so many of you for a very long time and you have inspired me and you continue to do so and I am just thrilled to be among you, so thank you.”
The Screen Actors Guild Awards only honors performances and the awards are voted on by members of the Screen Actors Guild. Awards are given for both film and television.
This story was originally published February 27, 2022 at 8:18 PM.
