Halle Berry opened up about her sadness at being the only biracial actress to win the Best Actress Academy Award.
Halle told Marie Claire magazine, “I’m continually saddened by that year after year.”
The mom-of-2 became the first woman of color to win the coveted trophy for her role as a struggling widow in the 2001 movie Monster’s Ball.
In her acceptance speech, Halle dedicated her achievement to the trailblazing actresses who opened the doors for her to walk through.
“This moment is so much bigger than me,” she said through tears. “This moment is for Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, Diahann Carroll… And it’s for every nameless and faceless woman of color that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened.”
Now, 22 years later, Halle is “miffed” that no other actress of color has won the Best Actress Award.
“I’m still eternally miffed that no Black woman has come behind me for that best actress Oscar. I’m continually saddened by that year after year. And it’s certainly not because there has been nobody deserving.”
Halle pointed to actress Andra Day in The United States vs. Billie Holiday and Viola Davis in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom as examples of elite Black actresses who were snubbed by the Academy.
Still, Halle says she is proud that being the “first” woman of color to win the award made the industry moe accepting of Black actresses.
“Would I rather have awards or a kickass, robust, soaring career as a Black woman? I’d take the kickass, soaring career over an award any day,” she said.
Even though Halle identifies as Black, she was born to a white mother and a Black father. She has been estranged from her father since childhood.
Users on X (formerly Twitter) weighed in.
I don’t understand why a biracial person such as Halle Berry labels herself as “black” & has to always to make race an issue instead of celebrating her own accomplishments. It’s rather sad when someone like her dismisses their “Caucasian” parent. End the race debate!!
— Junito York (@JunitoYork48) September 11, 2024
It’s sad that because of envy, they will never get the flowers they deserve.. I can’t imagine working so hard everyday, just to be shunned when it comes to awards.. we see the industry clearly. Racist bigots.. then when they are gone people will applaud them. It’s sad and…
— melon ? ?? (@meIonmuncherr) September 11, 2024
Why must the woman be black? Does that mean the previous winners were undeserving because of their race? Should the next winner be black just to ensure diversity? When will it be considered “fair” or will there always be this looming feeling that it will never be enough?
— Robin S. (@raess413) September 11, 2024
