In 2002, Halle Berry became the first black woman to win a best actress Oscar after her performance in Monster’s Ball, and during her acceptance speech, she dedicated her award to “every nameless, faceless woman of color that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened.”
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And now, 15 years later, Berry is upset to see that her win didn’t open the doors of diversity at the Oscars. In an interview with Teen Vogue’s Elaine Welteroth, Berry said her win seems meaningless.
“It’s troubling, to say the least,” Berry said regarding the fact that in 15 years, no other woman of color has won in the category.
“Wow, that moment really meant nothing. It meant nothing. I thought it meant something, but I think it meant nothing,” Berry said.
Berry says that now, more than ever, she’s inspired to do more to push diversity, especially after the #OscarsSoWhite controversy in 2015.
“It inspired me to get involved in other ways, which is why I want to start directing, I want to start producing more. I want to start being a part of making more opportunities for people of color,” Berry said.
Last year’s Oscar wins did include black actors in several categories and wins. Denzel Washington was nominated for best actor for Fences, Ruth Negga was nominated for best actress for Loving, Mahershala Ali won best supporting actor for Moonlight and Viola Davis won best supporting actress for her role in Fences.
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