Paul Tazewell, the costume designer behind the fantastical wardrobe of Wicked won the Oscar for Best Costume Design on Sunday, March 2 at the 97th Academy Awards, becoming the first Black man to take home the trophy.
“This is absolutely astounding. Thank you Academy for this very significant honor,” Tazewell, 60, said during his speech. “I’m the first Black man to receive the costume design award for my work on Wicked. I’m so proud of this.”
“Thank you everyone in the U.K. for all of your beautiful work, I could not have done this without you,” Tazewell added in his speech, after thanking his family. “My Ozian muses, Cynthia [Erivo] and Ariana [Grande], I love you so much – all the other cast, thank you thank you thank you, for trusting me with bringing your characters to life. This is everything. Director Jon M. Chu and producer Marc Platt, thank you.”
Tazewell’s win comes just years after Ruth E. Carter became the first Black person to score the Best Costume Design trophy, which she first did for 2018’s Black Panther before winning again for 2022’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Tazewell’s work in Wicked has already earned him wins at the Critics Choice Awards, Costume Designers Guild Awards, British Academy Film Awards and the BAFTAs.
Speaking with ABC affiliate earlier, Tazewell said his latest recognition “means everything.” The costume designer’s work in the film ranged from Glinda and Elphaba’s memorable looks to over 1,000 overall pieces in both Wicked and its forthcoming n Wicked: Part Two follow-up film.
Before joining Wicked, his recent work has also included costume design for 2019’s Harriet and 2021’s West Side Story.
“It really does mean the world to have that acknowledgement, to have that approval by so many greats that are you know, our in our industry, it just means the world,” Tazewell told KABC.
“I want to touch hearts, want to change lives, I want to make a difference and my power, my medium in doing that, is costume design and I’m passionate about it,” he added. “I hold to that, and I know that I’m good at doing that, and that makes me feel good.”
“My deepest thanks also to Jon M. Chu and Marc Platt for turning these cinematic dreams into reality. Thank you for welcoming me into the Wicked family,” he wrote. “Thank you to everyone who has watched the film and appreciated the intricate details of our work. Your recognition makes this journey even more rewarding!”
