Ariana DeBose wasn’t actually dancing in the streets on Tuesday mornings, but if you happened to be strolling along a certain river in New York City around 9:00 AM, you might think she was just another crazy New Yorker.
“I’m pretty sure I’ve scared every runner on the trail with my screaming and jumping up and down,” she said by phone Tuesday morning, recalling the moment she learned she’d been nominated for her first Oscar, for best supporting actress for her performance as Anita in Steven Spielberg’s remake of ‘West Side Story’.
With the nomination, DeBose and Rita Moreno, who won the Oscar for the same role in the 1961 film and stars in the new adaptation in a different role, made history: they became the first actors of color and the first women to be nominated for the same character. .
And if DeBose did win, they would only become the third pair to accomplish this feat. The other two are Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro as Vito Corleone (“The Godfather” and “The Godfather Part II”) and Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker (in “The Dark Knight” and “Joker”).
But first, DeBose faces some formidable competition in the category: Aunjanue Ellis (“King Richard”), Jessie Buckley (“The Lost Daughter”), Judi Dench (“Belfast”) and Kirsten Dunst (“The Power of the Dog”). ” ).
In a Tuesday morning interview from her New York home, DeBose discussed the importance of being nominated for a role that reflects her identity, the best advice Moreno gave her, and what’s next. These are edited excerpts from the conversation.
Congratulations! Are you normally awake now?
Normally I’m up and going – it’s been a very busy season. But last night I had a bit of anxiety-ridden insomnia. I haven’t slept at all. I was very nervous for this morning. For everyone, not just in a personal capacity, but for our film.
You and Moreno have a chance to make history as just the third pair of actors — and the first women and people of color — to win for playing the same role, in this case 60 years apart. What does it mean to you to follow in her footsteps?
The nomination confirms the fact that many interpretations are valid and good. It is absolutely possible to create a character from the same original text and have it stand on its own alongside an already celebrated and iconic image of that character. Anita is a great character and one that I am so proud of. It’s just great because we’re Latinas, we’re here and it’s very beautiful to be seen.
Have you thought about what you’re going to say if you win? I take it you’re a little better prepared than Rita. (Moreno famously gave one of the shortest acceptance speeches in Oscar history when she won in 1962: “I can’t believe it! Good Lord. I leave you with that.”)
Frankly, I don’t. Because I thought, “Look at that category!” I’m just genuinely happy to be in it. I’m not over that part yet. I hope if I have to say something, I will be sensible about it. But if not, Rita’s fail-safe is always a good place to turn to. [In Rita voice] “Oh my god! Thank you!” What an iconic thank you.
It was kind of perfect.
No more joy and true gratitude. And I mean that sincerely – it’s written all over her face. It’s great to watch.
She has always led with, “Ariana, lean into everything that makes you unique.” And that’s what I did with the character, and it’s what I’m doing in the middle of this crazy journey. I rely on things that make me unique, both as an artist and as a person, and I try to share and celebrate those things. It’s imperative that young people realize that they have potential, and if they can see that in my work, then I’m doing something right.
You come from a dance background, so I’m sure Anita’s crazy dancing skills weren’t too difficult to master. But is there anything you had to learn for the film that was particularly challenging?
I do not speak spanish. So I was very focused on the language and not only did I immerse myself in it, but I liked her accent, and understood what was required of it in terms of how long she had been in New York City.
You said you were nervous about your performance in the early screenings. At what point did you know you had succeeded?
I still don’t know if I got it right. I love that people love the rendition. As an artist, I see a million things that make me think, “Gosh, I wish I’d done that better.” But what makes me feel safe is that I’ve heard from a lot of young people, especially young Latinas, who say they see themselves in the work.
You’ve said that your Afro-Latina identity was something you fought for to be an integral part of your character, from your first meeting with Spielberg. How does it feel to be nominated for a character who is a strong woman who can own her identity without compromises like dark skin, like Moreno’s in the original movie?
This role embodies every facet of me, both as an artist and as a person. It’s rare to come across a section like this that celebrates the fullness of your skills and honors your lived experience and your identity. So it’s very special. And we’re just beginning to enter the space where we can have those conversations, where we can get to the core of where Afro-Latinas are not only within Hispanic culture, but also within Black culture, because we belong to both. It’s important that we reflect that in our scripts and the projects we give the green light. And I say that specifically to AfroLatinidad, but representation across the board is absolutely necessary.
Your roles over the years have spanned the spectrum, from your Tony nomination for “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical” to your breakthrough role as a forward-thinking schoolteacher in the Apple TV+ musical series “Schmigadoon!” What’s next for you?
I do not know. [Laughs] I don’t believe in limiting myself. I don’t like labels and I don’t like boxes, which is kind of ironic because we’re talking about a lot of things that I recognize. I’m at a point in my career where I’ve never had the opportunities that come my way. It is a blessing to have choice.
You broke out your tapping skills in “schmigadoon!last year. Any other secret talents you want to showcase?
Who knows? Maybe one day I will fly a trapeze for a project. Maybe I’ll do more action stuff.
I’m sure plenty of Marvel movies are waiting for you.
Oh God. That’s quite the universe. We will see.
