At the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 2, the costume designer for Wicked's spectacular wardrobe became the first Black man to win the Oscar for Best Costume Design.
"This is simply amazing. The 60-year-old Tazewell stated, "Thank you, Academy, for this very significant honor." " My work on Wicked earned me the costume design prize, making me the first Black guy to do it. I'm quite proud of this.
Tazewell's victory follows in the footsteps of Ruth E. Carter, who won the Best Costume Design award for the first time in 2018's Black Panther and again in 2022's Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, making her the first Black person to do so.
This year's other nominations in the category were Linda Muir (Nosferatu), Janty Yates and David Crossman (Gladiator II), Lisy Christl (Conclave), and Arianne Phillips (A Complete Unknown).
Tazewell has previously won awards at the British Academy Film Awards, Costume Designers Guild Awards, Critics Choice Awards, and BAFTAs for his performance in Wicked.
Earlier this month, Tazewell told ABC station KABC that his most recent accolade "means everything." According to Teen Vogue, the costume designer's contributions to the movie included more than 1,000 items in Wicked and its upcoming Wicked: Part Two sequel, as well as Glinda and Elphaba's iconic costumes.
His most recent job before joining Wicked includes designing the costumes for West Side Story in 2021 and Harriet in 2019.
"It really does mean the world to have that acknowledgment, to have that approval by so many greats that are, you know, in our industry; it just means the world," Tazewell stated to KABC.
"I want to touch hearts, want to change lives, and want to make a difference, and my power, my medium in doing that, is costume design, and I'm passionate about it," he stated. "I hold to that, and I know that I'm good at doing that, and that makes me feel good."
With 10 nominations overall, Wicked tied for second place this year with The Brutalist, only surpassed by Emilia Pérez's 13 nominations. Tazewell received her nomination back in January. Additionally, Wicked received nominations for best supporting actress (Ariana Grande), best actress (Cynthia Erivo), and best film.
Tazewell posted a joyful Instagram statement expressing his "immense gratitude" for Wicked's "dedicated costume team" following his huge BAFTA victory.
"My deepest thanks also to Jon M. Chu and Marc Platt for turning these cinematic dreams into reality. Thank you for welcoming me into the Wicked family," he wrote. "Thank you to everyone who has watched the film and appreciated the intricate details of our work. Your recognition makes this journey even more rewarding!"
Source: https://people.com/