Halle Berry's frustration with the Oscars remains palpable as she continues to be the only Black actress to have won the Academy Award for Best Actress. This accolade, which she earned for her groundbreaking role in "Monster's Ball" back in 2002, has yet to be matched by another Black woman, despite a promising sea of talent. In fact, only Michelle Yeoh, who won for "Everything Everywhere All at Once" in 2023, has joined Berry in this elite club over the past 22 years.
Berry's disappointment isn’t just a passing feeling; it’s a deep-seated frustration she often reflects on. In an interview with Marie Claire, she expressed her ongoing sadness: “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.” Her sense of injustice is evident as she notes, “And it’s certainly not because there has been nobody deserving.”
Her comments highlight a glaring disparity in Hollywood's most prestigious awards. Berry has pointed to several performances by Black actresses that she believes deserved recognition. Andra Day’s portrayal of Billie Holiday in "The United States vs. Billie Holiday" and Viola Davis’s powerful performance in "Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom" are just two examples she’s cited as deserving of the Oscar. She’s also previously mentioned Cynthia Erivo’s role in "Harriet" and Ruth Negga’s performance in "Loving" as examples of exceptional work by Black women that went unrecognized by the Academy.
In a candid discussion with Variety, Berry reflected on these missed opportunities with a sense of bewilderment. “I thought there were women that rightfully, arguably, could have, should have [won],” she said. “I hoped they would have, but why it hasn’t gone that way, I don’t have the answer.” This sentiment underscores her belief that the lack of diversity in Oscar winners is not due to a lack of talent but rather a systemic issue within the industry.
Berry's Oscar win, despite being a personal triumph, didn’t seem to open the door for other Black actresses as she had hoped. She described the experience as "one of my biggest heartbreaks," noting that her win didn’t spark a broader change. During her acceptance speech, she had hoped her victory would be a stepping stone for future Black actresses, but the reality fell short of her expectations. Reflecting on this, she wondered, “The morning after, I thought, ‘Wow, I was chosen to open a door.’ And then, to have no one… I question, ‘Was that an important moment, or was it just an important moment for me?’”
Berry's candid remarks continue as she remembers thinking her win might have been "so much bigger than me." She admits to struggling with the notion that winning the award didn’t automatically pave the way for more Black actresses. “It felt so much bigger than me, mainly because I knew others should have been there before me and they weren’t…just because I won an award doesn’t mean that, magically, the next day, there was a place for me. I was just continuing to forge a way out of no way.”
Adding to this sense of disillusionment, Berry spoke at Cannes Lion the year after the #OscarsSoWhite movement gained traction. In this talk, she reflected on her Oscar win with a sobering realization: “I was thinking to myself that my Oscar win really meant nothing. It meant nothing. I thought it meant something, but I think it meant nothing.” This statement reveals a deep sense of disappointment, as Berry grapples with the lack of significant change in Hollywood’s representation despite her historic achievement.
On a brighter note, Berry continues to make waves in the entertainment industry. She most recently starred in Netflix’s action-packed film "The Union," where she shared the screen with Mark Wahlberg. For fans eager to see her next big role, Berry will be hitting theaters on September 20 with her upcoming horror movie, "Never Let Go." This new project promises to showcase her versatility and talent once again, but Berry's reflections on her Oscar win remind us of the ongoing struggle for more inclusive recognition in Hollywood.
As Berry continues her impressive career, her experiences serve as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by Black actresses in an industry where systemic barriers are still very much in place. Her story, marked by both triumph and ongoing disappointment, highlights the need for continued progress and broader recognition of deserving talent across the board.
Login