When Paul Tazewell took home the “Best Costume Design” Oscar at the 97th Academy Awards for his work on the blockbuster “Wicked,” he became the first Black man to win in the category.
“There was never a Black male designer that I saw that I could follow and could see as inspirational [and] to realize that that’s actually me,” Tazewell said last night (March 2, 2025) in the press room for the Oscars, according to Ebony.com. “It’s the pinnacle of my career.”
Last night (Sunday, March 2) he added an Oscar to his already impressive list of trophies – including a BAFTA, Emmy and Tony Award. Tazewell’s work spans film, television and the stage – where his career began.
The Akron, Ohio native made his Broadway debut as a costume designer with “Bring in ‘Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk,” in 1996. Twenty years later, he won a Tony Award for “Best Costume Design of a Musical” for Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Hamilton.”
Tazewell became the first African American male costume designer to be nominated for an Academy Award when he earned a nod for his work on Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” in 2021.