West Side Story's Ariana DeBose kicked off the 94th Annual Academy Awards with a win for Best Supporting Actress, for her performance as Anita in Steven Spielberg's movie remake.
The Tony nominee had a heartwarming message to share to viewers. "To anybody who's ever questioned your identity or find yourself living in the gray spaces, I promise you this: There is indeed a place for us."
WATCH: See Ariana Debose's Full Oscars Acceptance Speech
DeBose has been a Broadway favorite for the last decade, originating roles in Lin-Manuel Miranda's Bring It On and Hamilton. Her most recent stage roles include playing Jane in A Bronx Tale and Disco Donna in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical.
Steadily making her way to the big screen, the multi-hyphenate starred in Ryan Murphy's Netflix adaptation of The Prom and the Apple TV+ musical series Schmigadoon! before landing her West Side Story role.
The Boys in the Band and tick, tick... BOOM! actor Robin de Jesús shared a video of his at-home stream of the ceremony. He wrote, "So proud of you mama."
DeBose's Schmigadoon! co-star Dove Cameron wrote that she is "streaming tears," and former Disney CEO Bob Iger called DeBose's win "so deserving!"
i am streaming tears @ArianaDeBose
— Dove Cameron (@DoveCameron) March 28, 2022
Best Supporting Actress Ariana DeBose!! So deserving!!!
— Robert Iger (@RobertIger) March 28, 2022
"Congratulations @arianadebose making the #HamFam proud," shared Broadway's Hamilton on Instagram. DeBose appeared as The Bullet and an ensemble member in the musical from 2014 to 2015. She can be seen on the filmed live production, currently streaming on Disney+.
Tuck Everlasting's Andrew Keenan-Bolger shared a quote from the Oscar winner's speech and Olivier winner Lesli Margherita posted a picture of DeBose's look at the award show.
"So, to anybody who has ever questioned your identity, ever, ever, or you find yourself living in the gray spaces I promise you: there is indeed a place for us.” 🥰 @ArianaDeBose
— Andrew Keenan-Bolger (@KeenanBlogger) March 28, 2022
Rosie O'Donnell shared a snap from her at-home stream of DeBose accepting her award, writing "Love you so." She hashtagged "great speech" in her caption. The outlet Broadway Black wrote, "Congratulations to Ariana DeBose on winning the #AcademyAward for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for #WestSideStory!"
Keep up with all the stage favorites winning 2022 Academy Awards here.
