History was made! Paul Tazewell’s amazing costumes in “Wicked” won him the Oscar, making him the first Black man to do it.
This achievement not only highlights his exceptional talent but also marks a significant milestone in the recognition of Black professionals in behind-the-scenes roles within the film industry.
Tazewell‘s journey to this momentous occasion began early in life. Born in Akron, Ohio, he was inspired by his mother, an artist, and his grandmother, a painter, who taught him how to sew, draw, and paint. His interest in costume design was further sparked by his high school’s production of “Oklahoma,” which led him to pursue a career in this field. After training at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Tazewell made his Broadway debut with “Bring in ‘Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk” in 1996. He has since become a renowned figure in theater and film, winning numerous awards, including a Tony Award for his work on Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Hamilton” in 2016.
For “Wicked,” Tazewell and his team created over 1,000 costumes, transforming the characters into iconic figures like Glinda and Elphaba. His work on this film was not only celebrated at the Oscars but also recognized at the BAFTA, Critics Choice, and Costume Designers Guild awards.
Tazewell’s Oscar win follows in the footsteps of Ruth E. Carter, who became the first Black person to win the Best Costume Design award for her work on “Black Panther” in 2018. Carter also won again for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” in 2022, making her the first woman to win two Oscars in this category.
In his acceptance speech, Tazewell expressed “I’m the first Black man to receive the costume design award for my work on Wicked. I’m so proud of this.”
“Thank you everyone in the U.K. for all of your beautiful work, I could not have done this without you,” Tazewell added in his speech, after thanking his family. “My Ozian muses, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, I love you so much – all the other cast, thank you thank you thank you, for trusting me with bringing your characters to life. This is everything. Director Jon M. Chu and producer Marc Platt, thank you.”
This victory is not just a personal triumph for Tazewell but also a beacon of inspiration for aspiring Black designers. As he noted, there was never a Black male designer he could look up to during his career, making his achievement even more profound.
