Paul Tazewell made a significant mark at the Oscars this year by becoming the first Black man to win the award for Best Costume Design. His outstanding work in the musical “Wicked” earned him this honor during the 97th Academy Awards.
This was Tazewell’s first Oscar win, following his nomination for his earlier work on Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story.” During his acceptance speech, he expressed immense pride in this historic achievement and received multiple standing ovations from the audience. Tazewell shared that he hopes to inspire other Black men who aspire to enter the field of costume design.
Tazewell reflected on his 35-year career in costume design, which spans Broadway and film. He mentioned that he had never seen a Black male designer to look up to, making this recognition even more meaningful for him.
Prior to the Oscars, Tazewell received accolades from BAFTA, Critics Choice, and the Costume Designers Guild awards. He is now only the second Black designer to win in this category, following Ruth E. Carter, who set a precedent in 2018 for her work in “Black Panther.”
Carter’s achievements have opened doors for many designers of color, and Tazewell acknowledged her influence during his speech. He also took time to thank the talented cast of “Wicked,” specifically stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, for their trust in him to bring their characters to life.
Tazewell has built an impressive career, previously winning an Emmy for “The Wiz Live!” in 2018 and a Tony Award for his work on “Hamilton.” He has also collaborated with Erivo on the film “Harriet,” which was his debut in feature films. His extensive experience includes numerous Tony nominations for projects like “The Color Purple,” “In the Heights,” “MJ the Musical,” and “A Streetcar Named Desire.”
