Ariana DeBose

Ariana DeBose is an American actress, singer and dancer who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Anita in Steven Spielberg's 2021 film adaptation of West Side Story. With a background in musical theatre and dance, she became the first openly queer woman of colour to win an acting Oscar.

Early life

Ariana DeBose was born on January 25, 1991, in Wilmington, North Carolina, and grew up in the state. She trained in dance from a young age and developed her performance skills through competitive dance and theatre. She first reached a national audience as a contestant on the televised dance competition So You Think You Can Dance, an early platform that helped launch her professional career.

Career

DeBose built her early career on the stage, performing in a series of Broadway productions. She appeared in shows including Bring It On: The Musical, Pippin and Motown the Musical, and she was an original cast member of the landmark musical Hamilton, in which she performed as part of the ensemble and as the character known as the Bullet. She later earned a Tony Award nomination for her role in the musical Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, establishing herself as a respected stage performer.

Her transition to film included a role in the screen adaptation of the musical The Prom. Her breakthrough came with West Side Story, in which she played Anita, a role that had previously won an Oscar for Rita Moreno in the original 1961 film. DeBose's performance was widely acclaimed and earned her numerous honours, culminating in the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, along with a BAFTA Award and a Golden Globe.

Recent work

Since her Oscar win, DeBose has expanded her screen career across film and television, taking on roles in a range of projects spanning genres. She has appeared in major studio releases and has also lent her voice and presence to high-profile events, including hosting and performing at awards ceremonies. She has remained connected to her musical-theatre roots while pursuing leading film roles.

DeBose is also recognised for her advocacy and visibility as an openly queer performer, and she has spoken about representation in the entertainment industry. Known for her energetic stage presence and dance-driven performances, she continues to work across the worlds of film, television and live performance, building on the recognition established by her award-winning turn in West Side Story.