Paul Tazewell Makes History as First Black Man to Win Best Costume Design Oscar for “Wicked” [Video]

Paul Tazewell made history at the 97th Academy Awards, winning the Oscar for Best Costume Design for his work on “Wicked.” The victory marks a significant milestone, as he becomes the first Black man to take home the award.

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“This is absolutely astounding. Thank you, Academy, for this very significant honor,” the 60-year-old said in his acceptance speech. “I’m the first Black man to receive the costume design award for my work on ‘Wicked.’ I’m so proud of this.”

Tazewell expressed gratitude to his team, saying, “Thank you, everyone, in the U.K. for all of your beautiful work, I could not have done this without you.”

He also acknowledged his inspirations: “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.”

His win follows Ruth E. Carter’s groundbreaking victories for “Black Panther” (2018) and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” (2022). Tazewell triumphed over nominees Arianne Phillips (A Complete Unknown), Janty Yates and David Crossman (Gladiator II), Lisy Christl (Conclave), and Linda Muir (Nosferatu).

Having already won at the Critics Choice Awards, Costume Designers Guild Awards, BAFTAs, and British Academy Film Awards, Tazewell reflected on the impact of his work, sharing, “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.”