Paul Tazewell achieved a historic milestone at the Academy Awards by becoming the first Black man to receive the Oscar for Best Costume Design.
At the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday, Tazewell was honored for his exceptional costume work in Wicked. This marks his first Oscar win and second nomination, having previously been recognized for his designs in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story.
“I am the first Black man to be awarded in the costume design category,” Tazewell said during his acceptance speech, which was met with multiple standing ovations. “This is an incredibly proud moment for me.”
Speaking backstage, he reflected on the significance of this achievement, calling it the pinnacle of his career. He expressed hope that his success would inspire other Black men pursuing careers in costume design.
“I’ve spent over 35 years designing costumes—first for Broadway and now for film,” he shared. “When I was starting out, there was no Black male designer I could look up to for inspiration. And now, to realize that I am that person for others—it’s overwhelming.”
Before his Oscar win, Tazewell had already garnered recognition from major industry awards, including BAFTA, Critics Choice, and the Costume Designers Guild. He is the second Black artist to win in this category, following Ruth E. Carter, who made history in 2018 with her work on Black Panther, becoming the first African American recipient of the award.
Carter later became the first Black woman to win two Oscars, achieving this milestone in 2023.
“She has paved the way for designers of color,” Tazewell acknowledged.
During his speech, he expressed gratitude to Wicked stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.
“To my incredible muses, Cynthia and Ariana, and to the entire cast—thank you for trusting me to bring your characters to life. This means everything,” he said.
Tazewell has built an illustrious career, winning an Emmy in 2018 for his work on The Wiz Live! and earning a Tony Award for Hamilton. His first major film project was Harriet (2019), where he also collaborated with Erivo.
With nine Tony nominations to his name, Tazewell has left an indelible mark on theater through productions such as The Color Purple, In the Heights, MJ the Musical, Suffs, and A Streetcar Named Desire.