Ariana DeBose won the Oscar for best supporting actress on Sunday for her role in ‘West Side Story’. She also became the first Afro-Latina, openly LGBTQ and actor of colour to win the award. The Oscars 2022 are being held at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre.

While accepting her award, DeBose said, “To anybody who has ever questioned your identity, I promise you there is a place for us.”

Also Read: Oscars 2022: Kristen Stewart makes history as 1st openly gay acting nominee in 20 years

DeBose, a Hollywood newcomer, outshined big names like Judi Dench, Aunjanue Ellis, Jessie Buckley and Kirsten Dunst in the best supporting actress category on Sunday. 

In her short speech after the announcement, DeBose thanked Rita Moreno, who starred in both 1961 and 2021 adaptations of ‘West Side Story.’

DeBose won the Academy Award on Sunday night for her acting, singing and dancing as Anita in her breakthrough role in the Steven Spielberg reimagining of the classic musical, according to reports from Associated Press.

Largely unknown in film circles before landing the coveted role, the 31-year-old North Carolina native became the clear Oscar favorite after an awards season full of victories.

She was previously primarily known as a stage actress, with Broadway roles in “Bring It On: The Musical,” “Motown: The Musical” and “Hamilton.”

Also Read: Kristen Stewart to Billie Eilish: A look at all the first-time nominees at Oscars 2022

“Imagine this little girl in the back seat of a white ford Focus. When you look into her eyes you see an openly queer woman of color, an Afro Latina, who found her strength in life through art. And that is what I believe we are here to celebrate”, DeBose said on Sunday.

She became the first Latina to win a film awards from the guild last month after securing the Screen Actors Guild’s best supporting actress. She was also the first queer woman of color to be recognized in an acting category, according to reports from NBC News.