Paul Tazewell Makes History as First Black Man to Win Oscar for Best Costume Design
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Veteran costume designer Paul Tazewell has become the first Black man to win the Academy Award for Best Costume Design. He earned the prestigious honor for his work on the musical film Wicked.
Tazewell, 60, received a standing ovation as he acknowledged the historic achievement during his acceptance speech.
“This is absolutely astounding. Thank you, Academy, for this very significant honor,” Tazewell said. “I’m the first Black man to receive the costume design award for my work on Wicked, and I’m so proud of this.”
He also thanked his family, cast, and crew, including Wicked stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, as well as director Jon M. Chu and producer Marc Platt.
Tazewell’s victory follows Ruth E. Carter, who became the first Black person to win in the Best Costume Design category for Black Panther (2018) and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022).
He triumphed over fellow nominees Arianne Phillips (A Complete Unknown), Janty Yates and David Crossman (Gladiator II), Lisy Christl (Conclave), and Linda Muir (Nosferatu).
The win caps off a dominant awards season for Tazewell, who also secured top costume design honors at the Critics Choice Awards, Costume Designers Guild Awards, British Academy Film Awards, and the BAFTAs.
A graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Tazewell crafted more than 1,000 costumes for Wicked and its upcoming sequel, Wicked: Part Two. His work has long been celebrated in both film and theatre, having previously earned a Tony Award for Hamilton and an Emmy for The Wiz Live!.
Reflecting on his Oscar win, Tazewell emphasized the impact of his craft.
“I want to touch hearts, change lives, and make a difference. My power, my medium, is costume design, and I’m passionate about it. I hold to that, and I know that I’m good at it. That makes me feel good,” he told KABC.
With this milestone, Paul Tazewell cements his place in Hollywood history, inspiring future generations of designers in the film and theater industry.
