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Halle Berry continues to express her deep disappointment that she remains the only Black woman to win the Best Actress Oscar, a title she earned in 2002 for ‘Monster’s Ball’. In recent interviews, she revealed her sadness over the fact that, despite deserving performances from Black actresses like Viola Davis (Ma Rainey’s BlackmBottom) and Andra Day (The United States vs. Billie Holiday), no other Black woman has claimed the award. Berry reflects on her historic win, once hoping it would open doors, but remains heartbroken that no lasting change has followed.
In a candid interview with Marie Claire, Berry noted, “I’m still eternally miffed… It’s certainly not because there has been nobody deserving.” Despite the critical acclaim surrounding many performances by Black actresses, the Academy has not acknowledged their work In the same capacity. Berry’s acknowledgment of performers like Cynthia Erivo ‘Harriet’ and Ruth Negga ‘Loving’ further underscores this frustration. She once believed that her Oscar win would pave the way for others, but decades later, she questions whether it was a collective victory or simply a personal one.
While Michelle Yeoh’s 2023 win for ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ marks a step forward in representing women of color, it serves as only the second instance of such recognition. Berry’s comments are a reminder of how slow change in Hollywood can be, particularly concerning racial inclusivity.
Though this lack of progress deeply saddens Berry, she remains focused on her career. In a recent interview discussing her upcoming horror film ‘Never Let Go’, set to release in September 2024, Berry emphasized her commitment to impactful roles rather than the pursuit of more awards. Yet, her hope for more recognition of Black actresses at the Oscars lingers, as she continues to advocate for the diversity she once thought her victory would inspire.
Berry’s resilience in her acting career contrasts with her frustration toward the lack of diversity at prestigious award ceremonies. Her legacy, while monumental, has not been the turning point she envisioned, leaving her eternally questioning the broader impact of her historic win.
