“In 2002, the actress made history by becoming the first Black woman to win the Academy Award for Best Lead Actress. Over two decades later, Halle Berry, who won for her performance in “Monster’s Ball,” expresses feeling “lonely” as she remains the only Black woman to have achieved this feat.
During a recent appearance on Trevor Noah’s “What Now?” podcast, Berry emphasized that her win was always “bigger than just herself.”
While numerous Black actresses have received the Best Supporting Actress Oscar, Cynthia Erivo, star of “Wicked,” has the potential this year to be the first since Berry to win the lead actress award.
Berry hopes this changes. “I hope this year, someone joins me. I’m tired of being alone in this space. I hope this is the year,” she shared with Noah.
However, even if it doesn’t happen, the “X-Men” actress believes she “was chosen to be a symbol of possibility” and that her win has served that purpose.
Berry’s victory is a memorable moment in Oscars history. Her emotional acceptance speech is a testament to this:
Halle Berry’s Best Actress Win: 74th Oscars (2002)
“Oh my God. This moment is much larger than myself. It’s for Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, Diahann Carroll, and the women beside me – Jada Pinkett, Angela Bassett, Vivica Fox, and every unknown woman of color who now has an opportunity because this door has been opened. Thank you. I’m honored and grateful to the Academy.
I thank my manager, Vincent Cirrincione, for his 12 years of support, my mother for her strength and encouragement, my husband for his joy, and India for bringing me peace.
I thank Lionsgate, director Marc Forster, Ivana Chubbuck, and producer Lee Daniels for their belief in me.
I thank my agents, lawyers, and mentors, including Spike Lee, Oprah Winfrey, Joel Silver, and Warren Beatty. Thank you all!”
