Rachel Zegler to Voice Lead Role in Apple Original Films & Skydance Animation’s Animated Musical “Spellbound”

Posted on April 2, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Rachel Zegler is preparing for the royal treatment…

The 20-year-old half-Colombian American Golden Globe-winning actress and singer will voice the character of Princess Ellian, the lead role in Apple Original Films and Skydance Animation’s new animated musical feature Spellbound.

Ellian is a tenacious princess who must go on a daring quest to save her family and kingdom after a mysterious spell transforms her parents into monsters and threatens to cover Lumbria in darkness forever.

Vicky Jenson is directing the film with Lauren Hynek & Elizabeth Martin and Linda Woolverton penning the script.

The original score for the film hails from Academy Award-winner Alan Menken, with lyrics by Glenn Slater.

Chris Montan serves as executive music producer.

Zegler has had a great year following her award-winning breakout role as Maria in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story. The film played a big part in her landing the role as the titular character in Disney’s new Snow White film, which is currently in production.

She’ll next be seen alongside Zachary Levi, Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu in D.C. Comics’ Shazam! Fury of the Gods.

Ariana DeBose Makes History with “Best Supporting Actress” Oscar Win

Posted on March 28, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Ariana DeBose has closed out awards season with a bang…

During Sunday night’s Academy Awards show, the 31-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress/singer/dancer has won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her portray of Anita in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story.

DeBose is the second actress to win the Oscar for portraying the iconic Broadway character, following Rita Moreno‘s win in 1962.

DeBose, a North Carolina native, has also made history as the first queer woman of color to win an acting Oscar.

“Imagine this little girl in the backseat of a white Ford focus, look into her eyes and you see an openly queer woman of color, an Afro-Latina who found her strength in life through art,” DeBose said during her acceptance speech.

“So to anybody who has ever questioned your identity— ever, ever ever—or you find yourself living in the gray spaces, I promise you this: There is indeed a place for us.”

DeBose’s other accolades during this awards season include a BAFTA, Golden Globe, Critics Choice, and SAG Award.

DeBose is currently filming Marvel’s Kraven The Hunter in the role of Calypso, which she says has been challenging in a way she hasn’t experienced before.

Yvett Merino and her fellow Encanto producers took home the Oscar forAnimated Feature Film for the acclaimed animated film about a Colombian family touched by magic.

Alberto Mielgo and Leo Sanchez claimed the Animated Short Film Oscar for their project The Windshield Wiper. The film was written, directed and designed by Mielgo.

Here are this year’s Oscar winners:

Best Picture
CODA
Philippe Rousselet, Fabrice Gianfermi and Patrick Wachsberger, Producers

Actress in a Leading Role
Jessica Chastain
The Eyes of Tammy Faye

Actor in a Leading Role
Will Smith
King Richard

Directing
The Power of the Dog
Jane Campion

Music (Original Song)
“No Time To Die” from No Time to Die
Music and Lyric by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell

Documentary Feature
Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Joseph Patel, Robert Fyvolent and David Dinerstein

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
CODA
Screenplay by Siân Heder

Writing (Original Screenplay)
Belfast
Written by Kenneth Branagh

Costume Design
Cruella
Jenny Beavan

International Feature Film
Drive My Car (Japan)
A C&I Entertainment/Culture Entertainment/Bitters End Production

Actor in a Supporting Role
Troy Kotsur
CODA

Animated Feature Film
Encanto
Jared Bush, Byron Howard, Yvett Merino and Clark Spencer

Visual Effects
Dune
Paul Lambert, Tristan Myles, Brian Connor and Gerd Nefzer

Cinematography
Dune
Greig Fraser

Actress in a Supporting Role
Ariana DeBose
West Side Story

Makeup and Hairstyling
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
Linda Dowds, Stephanie Ingram and Justin Raleigh

Production Design
Dune
Production Design: Patrice Vermette; Set Decoration: Zsuzsanna Sipos

Film Editing
Dune
Joe Walker

Music (Original Score)
Dune
Hans Zimmer

Live Action Short Film
The Long Goodbye
Aneil Karia and Riz Ahmed

Animated Short Film
The Windshield Wiper
Alberto Mielgo and Leo Sanchez

Documentary Short Subject
The Queen of Basketball
Ben Proudfoot

Best Sound
Dune
Mac Ruth, Mark Mangini, Theo Green, Doug Hemphill and Ron Bartlett

Rachel Zegler to Serve as Presenter During This Weekend’s Academy Awards Show

Posted on March 23, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Rachel Zegler has a date with the Oscars after all…

The 20-year-old half-Colombian American actress/singer, who won a Golden Globe for her performance in West Side Story, will serve as a presenter for the 94th annual Academy Awards on Sunday.

Over the weekend, Zegler reported on social media that she did not receive an invite to the Oscars, but that changed two days later when her production schedule in London on the Disney movie Snow White loosened up.

But, Zegler isn’t the only Latinx talent set to present on Hollywood’s Biggest Night.

Jacob Elordi, the 24-year-old Spanish-Australian star of Netflix‘s The Kissing Booth teen film franchise and the HBO series Euphoria, has also been added to the list of presenters, alongside Josh Brolin, Jake Gyllenhaal, Jason Momoa, Jill Scott, J.K. Simmons, Serena Williams and Venus Williams.

Previously announced Latinx presenters include Stephanie Beatriz, John Leguizamo and Rosie Perez.

Here is the full list of presenters, in alphabetical order, set for the Oscars, which will air live from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood at 5:00 pm PT/8:00 pm ET and in 200-plus territories around the world:

Halle Bailey
Stephanie Beatriz
Josh Brolin
Ruth E. Carter
Sean “Diddy” Combs
Kevin Costner
Jamie Lee Curtis
DJ Khaled
Jacob Elordi
Jennifer Garner
Jake Gyllenhaal
Woody Harrelson
H.E.R.
Tiffany Haddish
Tony Hawk
Anthony Hopkins
Daniel Kaluuya
Samuel L. Jackson
Lady Gaga
Lily James
Zoë Kravitz
Mila Kunis
John Leguizamo
Simu Liu
Rami Malek
Shawn Mendes
Jason Momoa
Bill Murray
Lupita Nyong’o
Elliot Page
Rosie Perez
Chris Rock
Jill Scott
Naomi Scott
Tyler Perry
Tracee Ellis Ross
J.K. Simmons
Kelly Slater
Wesley Snipes
Uma Thurman
John Travolta
Shaun White
Serena Williams
Venus Williams
Yuh-Jung Youn
Rachel Zegler

“West Side Story” Star Ariana DeBose Wins Two “Dorian Awards,” Including GALECA’s Rising Star Prize

Posted on March 17, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

They’re Wilde about Ariana DeBose at GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics.

The organization has revealed the winners of its 13th annual Dorian Awards, with the 31-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress/singer/dancer taking home two awards.

DeBose took home the “We’re Wilde About You!” Rising Star prize for her breakthrough role as Anita in Steven Spielberg’s film adaptation of the legendary Broadway musical West Side Story.

DeBose also took home the Best Supporting Performance award for her scene-stealing work in the musical.

But DeBose wasn’t the only double Latinx winner.

Pedro Almodovar, the mastermind behind the acclaimed Spanish language film Parallel Mothers, was named Wilde Artist, for being a groundbreaking force in film, theatre and/or television.

The 72-year-old Spanish film director, screenwriter, producer and former actor also earned the GALECA LGBTQIA+ Film Trailblazer prize.

Rita Moreno was honored with the Timeless Star prize.

The 90-year-old Puerto Rican actress, singer and dancer earned the award for an “exemplary career” marked by character, wisdom and wit.

The Dorian Awards are given to the best in film and television, mainstream to queer+, voted on by members of GALECA, a group of 350 critics, journalists and broadcasters in the U.S., Canada and

Here’s the full list of winners:

BEST FILM
The Power of the Dog (Netflix)

BEST LGBTQ FILM
Flee (Neon, Participant)

BEST NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE FILM
Drive My Car (Janus)

BEST UNSUNG FILM
Passing (Netflix)

BEST DIRECTOR
Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog (Netflix)

BEST SCREENPLAY
The Power of the Dog (Netflix) – Jane Campion (adapted)

BEST FILM PERFORMANCE
Kristen Stewart, Spencer (Neon)

BEST SUPPORTING FILM PERFORMANCE
Ariana DeBose, West Side Story (20th Century Studios)

BEST DOCUMENTARY
Flee (Neon, Participant)

BEST LGBTQ DOCUMENTARY
Flee (Neon, Participant)

MOST VISUALLY STRIKING FILM
Dune (Warner Bros.)

BEST ANIMATED FILM
Flee (Neon, Participant)

BEST FILM MUSIC
Tick, Tick… Boom! (Netflix)

“WE’RE WILDE ABOUT YOU!” RISING STAR
Ariana DeBose

WILDE ARTIST
(to a truly groundbreaking force in film, theatre and/or television)
Pedro Almodóvar

CAMPIEST FLICK
House of Gucci (United Artists)

TIMELESS STAR
(to an actor or performer whose exemplary career is marked by character, wisdom and wit)
Rita Moreno

GALECA LGBTQIA+ FILM TRAILBLAZER
Pedro Almodóvar

Ariana DeBose Wins Critics Choice Awards Acting Prize for “West Side Story”

Posted on March 14, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Ariana DeBose is the critics’ choice…

The 27th annual Critics Choice Awards honored the best in movies and television during a Sunday night broadcast on The CW and TBS, with the 31-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress/singer/dancer among the honorees.

DeBose, who’d won the first BAFTAs trophy of her career one night earlier, was named Best Supporting Actress for her inspired work in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story. It’s the latest in a long list of acting honors for Debose for her portrayal of the iconic Anita in the latest film adaptation of the Broadway musical, including a Golden Globe and historic SAG Award.

This year’s nominations in film saw Belfast and West Side Story lead with 11 each, followed by Dune and The Power of the Dog with 10 each. For the television side, Succession, Mare of Easttown and Evil emerged as leading nominees.

Here’s the complete list of this year’s winners.

MOVIES

Best picture
The Power of the Dog

Best actor
Will Smith, King Richard

Best actress
Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye

Best supporting actor
Troy Kotsur, CODA

Best supporting actress
Ariana DeBose, West Side Story

Best young actor/actress
Jude Hill, Belfast

Best acting ensemble
Belfast

Best director
Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog

Best original screenplay
Kenneth Branagh, Belfast

Best adapted screenplay
Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog

Best cinematography
Ari Wegner, The Power of the Dog

Best production design
Patrice Vermette, Zsuzsanna Sipos, Dune

Best editing
Sarah Broshar and Michael Kahn, West Side Story

Best costume design
Jenny Beavan, Cruella

Best hair and makeup
The Eyes of Tammy Faye

Best visual effects
Dune

Best comedy
Licorice Pizza

Best animated feature
The Mitchells vs the Machines

Best foreign language film
Drive My Car

Best song
“No Time to Die” – No Time to Die

Best score
Hans Zimmer, Dune

TELEVISION

Best drama series
Succession

Best actor in a drama series
Lee Jung-jae, Squid Game

Best actress in a drama series
Melanie Lynskey, Yellowjackets

Best supporting actor in a drama series
Kieran Culkin, Succession

Best supporting actress in a drama series
Sarah Snook, Succession

Best comedy series
Ted Lasso

Best actor in a comedy series
Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso

Best actress in a comedy series
Jean Smart, Hacks

Best supporting actor in a comedy series
Brett Goldstein, Ted Lasso

Best supporting actress in a comedy series
Hannah Waddingham, Ted Lasso

Best limited series
Mare of Easttown

Best movie made for television
Oslo

Best actor in a limited series or movie made for television
Michael Keaton, Dopesick

Best actress in a limited series or movie made for television
Kate Winslet, Mare of Easttown

Best supporting actor in a limited series or movie made for television
Murray Bartlett, The White Lotus

Best supporting actress in a limited series or movie made for television
Jennifer Coolidge, The White Lotus

Best foreign language series
Squid Game

Best animated series
What If…?

Best talk show
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Best comedy special
Bo Burnham: Inside

The 27th annual Critics Choice Awards, hosted by Taye Diggs and Nicole Byer, are airing live on The CW and TBS on Sunday, March 13.

“West Side Story” Star Ariana DeBose Wins Career-First BAFTA Awards Trophy

Posted on March 13, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Ariana DeBose is celebrating a big win across the pond…

The EE British Academy Film Awards have been doled out at London’s Royal Albert Hall, with the 31-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress, singer and dancer among the honorees.

DeBose claimed her first-ever BAFTAs trophy in the Supporting Actress category for her acclaimed performance as Anita in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story.

DeBose had previously won Golden Globes and SAG Awards trophies for her work in West Side Story, making her the clear frontrunner to take home this year’s Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

The in-person ceremony, hosted by Rebel Wilson, celebrates the best in British and international film for the year.

Here’s the full list of winners:

Best film
The Power of the Dog

Outstanding British film
Belfast

Outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer
The Harder They Fall

Film not in the English language
Drive My Car

Documentary
Summer of Soul

Animated film
Encanto

Director
Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog

Original screenplay
Paul Thomas Anderson, Licorice Pizza

Adapted screenplay
Siân Heder, CODA

Leading actress
Joanna Scanlan, After Love

Leading actor
Will Smith, King Richard

Supporting actress
Ariana DeBose, West Side Story

Supporting actor
Troy Kotsur, CODA

Original score
Hans Zimmer, Dune

Casting
West Side Story

Cinematography
Dune

Editing
No Time to Die

Production design
Cyrano

Costume design
Cruella

Makeup & hair
The Eyes of Tammy Faye

Sound
Dune

Special visual effects
Dune

British short animation
Do Not Feed the Pigeons

British short film
The Black Cop

EE Rising Star Award
Lashana Lynch

Stephanie Beatriz Among Latino Entertainment Journalists Association’s Film Award Honorees

Posted on March 7, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Stephanie Beatriz is the LEJA choice…

The Latino Entertainment Journalists Association (LEJA) has revealed the winners of its annual awards, with the 40-year-old Colombian and Bolivian American actress among this year’s honorees.

Beatriz took home the Best Voice or Motion Capture Performance for her role as Mirabel Madrigal in Disney’s hit animated film Encanto, which was named Best Animated Film by the association.

The chart-topping single “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” which she performs alongside fellow voice cast members Carolina Gaitán, Mauro Castillo, Adassa, Rhenzy Feliz and Diane Guerrero, was named Best Song Written for a Film. The track was written by Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Meanwhile, the Encanto score, by Germaine Franco – the first Latina to be nominated for an Oscar for original score – was named Best Musical Score.

Oscar-hopeful Ariana DeBose, already a SAG Award winner, was named Best Supporting Actress.

The 31-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress/singer/dancer continued her winning ways for her scene-stealing role as Anita in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story.

Spanish Oscar-winning actress Penelope Cruz was named Best Actress in a Leading Role for the work in Pedro Almodovar’s Spanish-language film Parallel Mothers, which took home the Best Foreign Language Film prize.

Anthony Ramos and his fellow In The Heights cast members won the Best Ensenble Casting award.

The LEJA membership also selected Miranda as the recipient of the Latino Activism Award. Meanwhile, John Leguizamo was honored with the 2022 Rita Moreno Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing the actor, producer and comedian as a tireless force in the Latino community. The Latino Breakout Award was bestowed on West Side Story star Rachel Zegler.

The Latino Entertainment Journalists Association is committed to developing and celebrating Latino voices among all areas and backgrounds of the entertainment industry.

Here’s the full list of winners:

Best Picture
“The Power of the Dog” (Netflix)

Best Director
Jane Campion, “The Power of the Dog” (Netflix)

Best Actor in a Leading Role
Andrew Garfield, “Tick, Tick … Boom!” (Netflix)

Best Actress in a Leading Role
Penélope Cruz, “Parallel Mothers” (Sony Pictures Classics)

Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Troy Kotsur, “CODA” (Apple Original Films)

Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Ariana DeBose, “West Side Story” (20th Century Studios)

Best Voice or Motion Capture Performance
Stephanie Beatriz, “Encanto” (Walt Disney Pictures)

Best Animated Film
“Encanto” (Walt Disney Pictures)

Best Foreign Language Film
“Parallel Mothers” (Sony Pictures Classics) (Spain)

Best Documentary Film
“Flee” (Neon)

Best Original Screenplay
“C’mon C’mon” (A24)

Best Adapted Screenplay
“The Power of the Dog” (Netflix)

Best Ensemble Casting
“In the Heights” (Warner Bros)

Best Production and Set Design
“Dune” (Warner Bros)

Best Cinematography
“Dune” (Warner Bros)

Best Costume Design
“Cruella” (Walt Disney Pictures)

Best Editing
“The Power of the Dog” (Netflix)

Best Hair and Makeup
“Cruella” (Walt Disney Pictures)

Best Sound Design
“Dune” (Warner Bros)

Best Visual Effects
“Dune” (Warner Bros)

Best Musical Score
“Encanto” (Walt Disney Pictures)

Best Stunt Design
“No Time to Die” (MGM/United Artists Releasing)

Best Song Written for a Film
“We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from “Encanto” (Walt Disney Pictures)

Ariana DeBose to Star in Sony Pictures’ Marvel Film “Kraven the Hunter”

Posted on March 1, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Ariana DeBose is ready to Calypso…

The 31-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress/singer/dancer, who made history with her SAG Awards win on Sunday, is set to join Sony Pictures’ Marvel film Kraven the Hunter, starring Aaron Taylor Johnson in the titular role.

Although it’s unconfirmed, sources say DeBose would play Calypso in the movie.

J.C. Chandor is directing the film with Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach producing. Art Marcum and Matt Holloway and Richard Wenk penned the screenplay.

One of Sony Pictures’ universe of Marvel characters, Kraven is among Marvel’s most iconic and notorious antiheroes who has encountered Venom and Black Panther among many others as well as being one of Spider-Man’s best-known and most-formidable enemies. The film will be released theatrically January 13, 2023.

As for Calypso, she is a voodoo priestess who utilizes magic potions, and besides being an adversary of Spider-Man, she is also the occasional partner and lover of Kraven.

Sony is coming off a hot streak, with Spider-Man: No Way Home becoming the biggest film of 2021 with $1.8 billion in worldwide sales after Venom: Let There Be Carnage made more than $500 million worldwide. As for future films, the Jared Leto-starrer Morbius bows in the U.S. in April, and the studio just named Dakota Johnson to lead Madame Web.

DeBose’s stock has been skyrocketing following her scene-stealing role as Anita in Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-nominated West Side Story adaptation. Besides taking home the SAG Award for Supporting Actress, DeBose also has Oscars, BAFTA and Critics Choice nominations in the same category.

She’ll next appear in Matthew Vaughn’s action film Argylle from Apple, starring opposite Henry Cavill, Bryan Cranston, Samuel L. Jackson and Dua Lipa, and will also star in Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s space thriller I.S.S. alongside Chris Messina and Pilou Asbaek.

Colman Domingo Wins Black Reel Awards Trophy for Performance in “Zola”

Posted on March 1, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a Reel special moment for Colman Domingo…

Winners of the 22nd Annual Black Reel Awards have been announced, with the 52-year-old Guatemalan American actor among the honorees.

Domingo was named Outstanding Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Abegunde “X” Olawale in the black comedy crime film Zola.

Janicza Bravo, who wrote and directed Zola, won the Outstanding Independent Film award for the acclaimed film, which earned the 41-year-old Panamanian American filmmaker two Spirit Awards nods.

It’s his first solo Black Reel Award… He’d previously won alongside his Selma castmates in 2015 in the Best Ensemble category.

Tessa Thompson is celebrating her big win…

The 38-year-old part-Panamanian and part-Mexican American actress was named Outstanding Actress for her work in Passing, a role that previously won her a best actress prize from the Black Film Critics Circle.

Ariana DeBose, who made history with her SAG Awards win over the weekend, continued her winning ways.

The 31-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress/singer/dancer won the award for Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Female for her portrayal of Anita in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story.

Anthony Ramos won in the Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Male category.

The 30-year-old Puerto Rican actor earned the award for his starring role in the film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony Award-winning Broadway musical In The Heights.

Featuring 12 live awards and 5 honorees, and unveiling a new statuette, the ceremony included tributes to films, which made their mark in Black Cinema History.

The month of February concluded fiercely thanks to a fabulous night of black excellence. “It is fitting that as we close Black History Month, this year’s Black Reel Awards continues to spotlight individuals who make cinematic strides,” said Black Reels CEO/Founder, Tim Gordon. “As opportunities increase, both above and below the line, we remain dedicated to shining a light on Black film creatives, while amplifying their voices throughout the industry.”

Here’s the full list of winners:

Outstanding Film | King Richard
Will Smith, Tim White & Trevor White, producers

Outstanding Director
Jeymes Samuel | The Harder They Fall

Outstanding Actor
Will Smith | King Richard

Outstanding Actress
Tessa Thompson | Passing

Outstanding Supporting Actor
Colman Domingo | Zola

Outstanding Supporting Actress
Aunjanue Ellis | King Richard

Outstanding Screenplay
Passing | Rebecca Hall

Outstanding Documentary
Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, director

Outstanding Foreign-Language Film
African America (South Africa) | Muzi Mthembu, director

Outstanding Ensemble
The Harder They Fall | Victoria Thomas, casting director

Outstanding Voice Performance
Maya Rudolph | The Mitchells vs. The Machines

Outstanding Score
The Harder They Fall | Jeymes Samuel, composer

Outstanding Original Song
“Automatic Woman” (Bruised)
H.E.R., performer; H.E.R, Van Hunt & Brittany Hazzard, writers

Outstanding Independent Film
Zola | Janicza Bravo, director

Outstanding Short Film
Coffee | Jordan Pitt, director

Outstanding Independent Documentary
100 Years from Mississippi | Tarabu Betserai Kirkland, director

Outstanding Emerging Director
Jeymes Samuel | The Harder They Fall

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Male
Anthony Ramos | In the Heights

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Female
Ariana DeBose | West Side Story

Outstanding First Screenplay
Passing | Rebecca Hall

Outstanding Cinematography
The Tragedy of Macbeth | Bruno Delbonnel, cinematographer

Outstanding Costume Design
The Harder They Fall | Antoinette Messam, costume designer

Outstanding Editing
The Harder They Fall | Tom Eagles, editor

Outstanding Production Design
The Tragedy of Macbeth | Stefan Dechant, production designer

Ariana DeBose Makes SAG Awards History with Best Supporting Actress Win for “West Side Story”

Posted on February 28, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Life’s a real SAG for Ariana DeBose…

The 31-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress/singer/dancer earned her first-ever SAG Award.

DeBose won the Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture prize from the Screen Actors Guild for her scene-stealing turn in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story.

With the win, DeBose becomes the first openly queer woman of color to win an individual film SAG Award.

“I think it’s just indicative that the doors are opening,” DeBose said in the SAG Awards press room while talking with the media. “It’s an honor to be seen, it’s an honor to be an Afro-Latina—an openly queer woman of color, a dancer, a singer, and an actor. It’s indicative to me that I will not be the last, and that’s the important part. Whatever firsts are attached to my name, they are immensely special to me, but I’m focused on the fact that if I’m the first of anything that means I won’t be the last.”

DeBose, the latest Latina to portray Anita in West Side Story, also honored her predecessors, Rita Moreno and Chita Rivera for paving the way.

“The legacy of Anita means a great deal to me, for many different reasons,” she shared. “I’m a Broadway girl at heart. We speak so frequently about Rita Moreno, as we should, she’s legendary. But the OG Anita on stage is Chita Rivera, and I have looked up to Chita for such a long time. She [paved the] way for me on the stage for me to be able to do what I do in that facet of the industry. So, to be able to be a part of the legacy of Anita that includes both Chita and Rita—and now Ariana— it’s really special to me. And we’re all very different types of Latinas, that’s beautiful and important too. There’s no one way to be Latina or Hispanic. There are many beautiful ways. I think each one of us is a testament to that.”

Eugenio Derbez has earned his first career SAG Award…

The 60-year-old Mexican actor, comedian, and filmmaker was among the winners in the Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for their work in CODA.

The Apple film is the first movie with a predominantly deaf cast to win the top prize at the awards honoring actors. Derbez is not hearing impaired.

In the television categories, Cristo Fernandez picked up his first-ever SAG Award…

The 31-year-old Mexican actor, and former professional footballer for the Estudiantes Tecos Club of the Liga Premier de México and his Ted Lasso cast mates took home the Comedy Ensemble trophy.

The SAG Awards aired live on TNT and TBS from The Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, with a red carpet, a maskless crowd and a full roster of A-listers part of the show.

Here’s the complete list of winners:

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
CODA
EUGENIO DERBEZ / Bernardo Villalobos
DANIEL DURANT / Leo Rossi
EMILIA JONES / Ruby Rossi
TROY KOTSUR / Frank Rossi
MARLEE MATLIN / Jackie Rossi
FERDIA WALSH-PEELO / Miles

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
WILL SMITH / Richard Williams
KING RICHARD

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
JESSICA CHASTAIN / Tammy Faye Bakker
THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series
MICHAEL KEATON / Dr. Samuel Finnix
DOPESICK

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series
KATE WINSLET / Mare Sheehan
MARE OF EASTTOWN

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
SUCCESSION
NICHOLAS BRAUN / Greg Hirsch
JULIANA CANFIELD / Jess Jordan
BRIAN COX / Logan Roy
KIERAN CULKIN / Roman Roy
DAGMARA DOMINCZYK / Karolina Novotney
PETER FRIEDMAN / Frank Vernon
JIHAE / Berry Schneider
JUSTINE LUPE / Willa
MATTHEW MACFADYEN / Tom Wambsgans
DASHA NEKRASOVA / Comfrey Pellits
SCOTT NICHOLSON / Colin
DAVID RASCHE / Karl Muller
ALAN RUCK / Connor Roy
J. SMITH-CAMERON / Gerri Kellman
SARAH SNOOK / Shiv Roy
FISHER STEVENS / Hugo Baker
JEREMY STRONG / Kendall Roy
ZOË WINTERS / Kerry Castellabate

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
JUNG HO-YEON / Kang Sae-byeok
SQUID GAME

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
LEE JUNG-JAE / Seong Gi-hun
SQUID GAME

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
TED LASSO
ANNETTE BADLAND / Mae
KOLA BOKINNI / Isaac McAdoo
PHIL DUNSTER / Jamie Tartt
CRISTO FERNÁNDEZ / Dani Rojas
BRETT GOLDSTEIN / Roy Kent
BRENDAN HUNT / Coach Beard
TOHEEB JIMOH / Sam Obisanya
NICK MOHAMMED / Nathan Shelley
SARAH NILES / Dr. Sharon Fieldstone
JASON SUDEIKIS / Ted Lasso
JEREMY SWIFT / Leslie Higgins
JUNO TEMPLE / Keeley Jones
HANNAH WADDINGHAM / Rebecca Welton

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
JEAN SMART / Deborah Vance
HACKS

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
JASON SUDEIKIS / Ted Lasso
TED LASSO

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
ARIANA DeBOSE / Anita
WEST SIDE STORY

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
TROY KOTSUR / Frank Rossi
CODA

Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture
NO TIME TO DIE

Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series
SQUID GAME

SAG Life Achievement Award
HELEN MIRREN

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

Tag Archives: West Side Story

Rachel Zegler to Voice Lead Role in Apple Original Films & Skydance Animation’s Animated Musical “Spellbound”

Ariana DeBose Makes History with “Best Supporting Actress” Oscar Win

Rachel Zegler to Serve as Presenter During This Weekend’s Academy Awards Show

“West Side Story” Star Ariana DeBose Wins Two “Dorian Awards,” Including GALECA’s Rising Star Prize

Ariana DeBose Wins Critics Choice Awards Acting Prize for “West Side Story”

“West Side Story” Star Ariana DeBose Wins Career-First BAFTA Awards Trophy

Stephanie Beatriz Among Latino Entertainment Journalists Association’s Film Award Honorees

Ariana DeBose to Star in Sony Pictures’ Marvel Film “Kraven the Hunter”

Colman Domingo Wins Black Reel Awards Trophy for Performance in “Zola”

Ariana DeBose Makes SAG Awards History with Best Supporting Actress Win for “West Side Story”