Paul Tazewell has made history at the 97th Academy Awards, securing the Oscar for Best Costume Design for his spectacular work on Wicked. This monumental achievement marks him as the first Black man to ever win the prestigious award in this category.
During his acceptance speech, a clearly moved Tazewell expressed his gratitude: "This is absolutely astounding. Thank you, Academy, for this very significant honour. I'm the first Black man to receive the costume design award for my work on Wicked. I'm so proud of this." He also extended heartfelt thanks to the team in the United Kingdom, acknowledging their crucial role in bringing his vision to life: "Thank you everyone in the U.K. for all of your beautiful work, I could not have done this without you."
Tazewell further acknowledged the stars of Wicked, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, referring to them as his "Ozian muses." He thanked them, along with the entire cast, for entrusting him with the responsibility of visually embodying their characters. He also expressed his appreciation to director Jon M. Chu and producer Marc Platt for their support.
A Milestone Moment
Tazewell's victory is a significant moment for representation in the film industry, following Ruth E. Carter's groundbreaking win for Best Costume Design for Black Panther in 2018, and again for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in 2022. Carter was the first Black person to win the award.
The other nominees in the Best Costume Design category this year were:
- Arianne Phillips (A Complete Unknown)
- Janty Yates and David Crossman (Gladiator II)
- Lisy Christl (Conclave)
- Linda Muir (Nosferatu)
A Career Defined by Excellence
Prior to his Oscar win, Tazewell's work on Wicked had already garnered significant recognition, including wins at the Critics Choice Awards, the Costume Designers Guild Awards, and the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs).
Earlier this month, Tazewell spoke about the significance of this recognition, stating that it "means everything." His work on Wicked encompassed a vast range of designs, from the iconic looks of Glinda and Elphaba to over 1,000 individual pieces across both Wicked and its upcoming sequel, Wicked: Part Two.
A Passion for Storytelling Through Costume
Before Wicked, Tazewell's impressive portfolio included costume design for films such as Harriet (2019) and West Side Story (2021). He expressed his profound connection to his craft, saying, "It really does mean the world to have that acknowledgement, to have that approval by so many greats that are, you know, our in our industry, it just means the world."
Tazewell articulated his artistic mission, stating, "I want to touch hearts, want to change lives, I want to make a difference and my power, my medium in doing that, is costume design and I'm passionate about it. I hold to that, and I know that I'm good at doing that, and that makes me feel good."
Wicked's Triumphant Night
Wicked received a total of 10 nominations at the Academy Awards, tying for the second-most nominations of the year. The film was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Actress (Cynthia Erivo), and Best Supporting Actress (Ariana Grande).
Following his BAFTA win, Tazewell took to social media to express his "immense gratitude" for the "dedicated costume team" behind Wicked.
He also thanked Jon M. Chu and Marc Platt for "turning these cinematic dreams into reality" and for welcoming him into the Wicked family. He concluded by thanking everyone who has watched the film and appreciated the intricate details of their work, adding that their recognition makes the journey even more rewarding.
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