Today, we’re diving into the glitzy, glamorous world of Hollywood to examine a topic that’s not quite as shiny: the intersection of race and gender in the Best Actress category. Buckle up; it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

For decades, the Academy Awards have been the gold standard for recognizing excellence in the film industry. However, when it comes to the Best Actress category, it seems that “gold standard” has a very specific hue. And spoiler alert: it’s not gold.

A quick glance at the history of the Best Actress winners reveals a startling lack of diversity. In the 95-year history of the Oscars, only two women of color have won the Best Actress award: Halle Berry in 2002 for her role in Monster’s Ball and, more recently, Michelle Yeoh in 2022 for her role in Everything Everywhere All at Once. Two. In nearly a century. Let that sink in.

But why is this the case? Is it a lack of talent among actresses of color? Absolutely not. The problem lies in the systemic barriers and biases that women of color face in the entertainment industry.

From limited opportunities to stereotypical roles, actresses of color have long been relegated to the sidelines of Hollywood. They’re often typecast as the sassy best friend, the exotic love interest, or the struggling single mother. Rarely do they get the chance to showcase their full range and depth as performers.

Even when they do land leading roles, their performances are often overlooked come awards season. It’s as if the industry has a collective blind spot when it comes to recognizing the talent and contributions of women of color.

But change is slowly but surely coming. In recent years, we’ve seen a growing push for diversity and inclusion in Hollywood. Movies like Hidden Figures, Crazy Rich Asians, and Black Panther have proven that diverse stories and casts can not only succeed but thrive at the box office.

And while progress is being made, there’s still a long way to go. It’s not enough to simply cast actresses of color in leading roles; we need to create an environment where their talent is nurtured, celebrated, and rewarded.

So, what can we do to support actresses of color and promote greater diversity in the Best Actress category? For starters, we can vote with our dollars by supporting films that feature diverse casts and stories. We can also use our voices to call out inequality and demand change from the powers that be in Hollywood.

As always, I want to hear from you. What are your thoughts on the intersection of race and gender in the Best Actress category? Have you noticed a lack of diversity among the nominees and winners? Leave a comment below and let’s continue this important conversation.

Until next time, keep fighting the good fight for equality in Hollywood and beyond.

Feature Photo by Nathan Engel