Ariana DeBose Wins Oscar for 'West Side Story': A Triumph for Talent from The Carolinas

All image source: Ariana Debose Instagram

Ariana DeBose won her first Academy Award on Sunday for her supporting role as Anita in Steven Spielberg's remake of classic musical "West Side Story."

A relative newcomer to feature films, 31-year-old DeBose earned mainstream acclaim for her lively portrayal of Anita, an outspoken Puerto Rican woman who showcases her singing and dancing talents in the song "America."

She also won a Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild award and British Academy Film Award for her performance.

"It was the summer of a lifetime and I am most privileged and grateful to spend it with all of you," DeBose said in accepting her award.

DeBose, citing her membership in both the Afro-Latina and queer communities, said the award showed that "there is indeed a place for us," a reference to a song in "West Side Story."

North Carolina-born DeBose trained in dance and had roles in Broadway productions including "Hamilton" and "Summer: The Donna Summer Musical" before appearing in the Netflix television musical "The Prom" as a cheerleader struggling to come out of the closet.

DeBose, citing her membership in both the Afro-Latina and queer communities, said the award showed that "there is indeed a place for us," a reference to a song in "West Side Story."