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Ariana DeBose makes Oscars history as first queer woman of colour to win: ‘There is a place for us’

Ariana DeBose has made history by becoming the first openly queer woman of colour to win an Oscar for her towering performance in West Side Story.

DeBose beat out stiff competition from Jessie Buckley, Aunjanue Ellis, Kirsten Dunst and Judi Dench to take home the prize. Her win comes 60 years after Rita Moreno won in the same category for her portrayal of Anita in the original film adaptation of West Side Story in 1962.

“What is this?” an emotional Ariana DeBose said on stage at the Dolby Theatre. “You know what, now you see why Anita says ‘I want to be in America,’ because even in this weary world that we live in, dreams do come true, and that’s a really heartening thing right now.”

The actor went on to describe the period in which she filmed West Side Story as “the summer of a lifetime”. She also paid tribute to director Steven Spielberg, joking: “You’re stuck with me now.”

In a particularly poignant moment, DeBose paid tribute to Moreno, who was sitting in the audience at the ceremony.

“You are staring at me right now, and I’m so grateful your Anita paved the way for tons of Anitas like me, and I love you so much.”

West Side Story star Ariana DeBose paid tribute to those in ‘grey spaces’ at the Oscars

Closing out her speech, DeBose said: “Lastly, imagine this little girl in the back seat of a white Ford Focus, look into her eyes, you see an openly queer woman of colour, an Afro-Latina, who found her strength in life through art, and that’s what I believe we’re here to celebrate.

“So to anybody who’s ever questioned your identity, ever, ever, ever, or you find yourself living in the grey spaces, I promise you this, there is indeed a place for us.”

Speaking in the press room after her win, DeBose said it was “a historical moment”, Variety reports.

“I’m an openly queer woman of colour – and not for nothing, that’s freaking awesome, you guys.” She went on to draw attention to the fact that she is just the second Latina actress to ever win an acting Oscar after Moreno.

“It’s a beautiful moment to be seen. And I’m really honoured by that.”

DeBose took home the Best Supporting Actress Oscar at a ceremony marked by surprises. The Power of the Dog, which led the pack with 12 nominations, ended up taking home just one award, with Jane Campion named Best Director.

Other big winners on the night included Jessica Chastain, who was named Best Actress for her turn in The Eyes of Tammy Faye, while Will Smith won the award for Best Actor for his performance in King Richard (shortly after he hit Chris Rock on stage, in the night’s most talked-about moment).

CODA, an Apple TV+ film about deaf parents and their hearing daughter, took home the night’s top award for Best Picture.

 

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Trailblazing gay K-pop star Holland tells fans that he has a boyfriend

Out K-pop star Holland has revealed that he’s currently in a relationship, and fans are absolutely over the moon with joy.

Holland, real name Go Tae-seob, has been open about his sexuality from the beginning of his career, releasing his debut track in 2018 as the “first gay K-pop idol”. 

The singer revealed during a live stream with fans on Thursday (24 March) that he is currently seeing a special someone, but he didn’t give many details about his new partner. 

The singer was questioned by fans in the chat during the live stream about his relationship and does indeed “have a boyfriend now”. Holland repeated the happy news while smiling, adding “damn” cheekily at the end. 

“He’s very handsome and kind, tall,” Holland said, describing his boyfriend to fans.

The singer, who is set to make his acting debut in the queer drama series Ocean Likes Me, didn’t give fans a name or picture of his boyfriend. But he confirmed to fans that his boyfriend is a “normal person” and isn’t a celebrity, an actor, idol or involved in the entertainment industry at all. 

One fan asked the K-pop singer how much he loved his boyfriend, and he responded: “I wanna marry him”.

Holland posted a short clip from his live stream on all his social media profiles, telling everyone bluntly “so.. i have a boyfriend”. 

Needless to say, K-pop fans were absolutely thrilled to hear the happy news and wished him the best in his new relationship. 

Holland is one of only a few openly LGBT+ celebrities in South Korea.

South Korea does not ban homosexuality, but the LGBT+ community face legal challenges and discrimination in the country.

Same-sex marriage is not legal, and it is illegal for queer people to serve openly in the military, according to Equaldex. There is no ban on conversion therapy in South Korea, and there are no adoption rights for same-sex couples in the country.

However, some celebrities have come out as part of the LGBT+ community in recent years. TV host and chef Hong Seok Cheon was the first major South Korean star to come out as gay in 2000.

He recalled in an interview with Time that religious people protested in front of TV stations after he came out publicly and demanded he be fired from his job. Hong said it was “terrifying” to have to walk through the crowds “every time I had to go into the station for work”. 

As a result, he said, “broadcasting companies wouldn’t work with me”. 

In 2020, trot singer Kwon Do Woon came out as gay and hoped to “continue representing the LGBTQ community” through his work. He also credited Hong with giving him the “courage” to live his truth.

Another K-pop singer Som Hein came out as bisexual in 2019, and rapper Aquinas shared with fans that he is bisexual in a post on social media last year. 

Lionesses, who claim to be the “first openly LGBT+” K-pop boy band, debuted in November with a beautifully colourful music video to their first track “Show Me Your Pride”.

Singer and actor Harisu is among the most famous trans stars in South Korea. Last year, Harisu opened up about receiving hateful comments online and said she ultimately doesn’t “get any damage” from transphobic online trolls. 

She added that she’s “legally a woman so there’s nothing to be gained from telling me I’m not a woman”, and she won’t be “shaken by a few words” on social media. 

 

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