Twenty years ago, Halle Berry rewrote history by becoming the first woman of color to win the Best Actress Oscar Award for her role in the 2001 movie “Monster’s Ball.”
According to Vanity Fair, when the actress delivered her acceptance speech for clinching the award, she hoped that her achievement would give other “women of color” the opportunity to earn their recognition at the Oscars.
“This moment is so much bigger than me. This moment is for Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, Diahann Carroll. It’s for the women that stand beside me: Jada Pinkett, Angela Bassett, Vivica Fox. And it’s for every nameless and faceless woman of color that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened.”
Unfortunately, 20 years later, Berry happens to be the only Black woman who has ever received that award.
During a recent interview with the New York Times (Via Yahoo Entertainment) the “Moonfall” actress disclosed that she feels gutted to be the only Black woman ever to clinch the award.
“You know, I’ve been asked this question so many times as if I should have the answer. But I don’t. But I will say this: I do feel completely heartbroken that there’s no other woman standing next to me in 20 years.”
The actress who doubled as a director continued, “But what I do know happened that night is that so many people of color got inspired. When I look around and I see my brothers and sisters working and thriving and telling their own stories from their point of view. I’m proud of that, and I see the movement forward. And I think that night inspired so many of those people to dream those dreams.”
Halle Berry’s Career Streak
Berry rose to the spotlight after winning second place at the Miss USA pageant and sixth place at the Miss World. Her first significant role came in the movie “Boomerang,” where she was cast along with Eddie Murphy.
Since then, the 55-year-old actress and director has appeared in movies like “Bulworth,” “Introducing Dorothy Dandridge,” and “The Flintstones.”
She won a Primetime Emmy Award for “Introducing Dorothy Dandridge.”
In 2004, she starred in “Catwoman” and re-enacted her role as Storm in “X-men.” She also appeared in 2012’s action movie “Dark Tide.”
She also bagged leading roles in films like “The Call,” “Perfect Stranger,” “Swordfish,” “Die Another Day,” “Cloud Atlas,” “Gothika,” “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum,” “Kingsman: The Golden Circle” amongst many others.
Berry’s Challenges In Hollywood
Despite her trajectory to becoming one of the highest-paid actresses globally, it still came with some challenges. She disclosed to host T.J Holmes as per Sportskeeda, about the consistent fight for her place in the industry in the same special.
“The fight has been consistent, it just changes its face, you know? But the fight is as hard as it was to get in the industry. And now to stay in the industry for 30 years and find a way to stay relevant and still do things that I love is a constant fight.”
She also disclosed the hurdles she had to face while building a name for herself in the society.
“It was obstacle after obstacle. Every other day, I was threatened to be shut down. I think the reason it has happened to me a lot… being Black and looking the way I look, I’m always marginalized. I’m always second-guessed. I always have to prove that I am more than the shell that I walk around in. And I believe on some level that’s why.”
Berry Hopes The Fight Will Be Easier For Future Generations
Despite the hurdles she faced, Berry’s only hope was for the fight to be easier for generations to come.
“My hope for the Tessa Thompsons and the Zendayas is that because I’ve lived through my journey and I’ve fought all the fights that I had to fight and continue to fight, that their fight will be indelibly easier.”
Amid this interview, she expressed disappointment towards Andra Day and Viola Davis losing out on the Oscars Best Actress Awards for their roles in “The United States vs. Billie Holiday” and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.”
However, she added that this didn’t define them or validate their talents.
“It doesn’t take anything away from those performances or who they are as artists. I think we have to start to change our perspective because it’s clear that we may not change how the awards are handed out.”
Halle Berry’s Intention Going Forward
Berry has since channeled her disappointment into action, revealing that the Oscars’ failure spurred her to get involved in other ways, such as directing and producing to create more opportunities for people of color.
“I think black people, people of color, only have a chance to win based on how much we’re allowed to put out,” she explained. “That says to me that we need more people of color writing, directing, producing—not just starring. We have to start telling stories that include us.”