Paul Tazewell made history at the Oscars on Sunday, March 2. The momentous achievement marks a significant milestone in the Academy’s history.
The 60-year-old costume designer took the Best Costume Design prize for his work on Wicked, becoming the first Black man to take the “very significant” honor. Tazewell’s groundbreaking win represents an important step forward for diversity and inclusion in Hollywood’s technical categories.
“This is absolutely astounding. Thank you, Academy, for this very significant honor,” he said, speaking on stage at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre, which has hosted the Oscars annually since 2002.
“I’m the first Black man to receive the costume design award for my work on Wicked. I’m so proud of this.” His emotional acceptance speech received a standing ovation from many in attendance, acknowledging the historic nature of his win.
Tazewell, who was nominated in the same category for West Side Story in 2022, went on to thank “Ozian muses” Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, as well as the rest of the cast of Wicked. This was Tazewell’s second Oscar nomination, demonstrating his consistent excellence in the field of costume design.
“Thank you for trusting me with bringing your characters to life. This is everything,” he added. The film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical required extensive craftsmanship to create its fantastical wardrobe.
Tazewell’s win — which came in a category that also featured Arianne Phillips (A Complete Unknown), Janty Yates and David Crossman (Gladiator II), Lisy Christl (Conclave) and Linda Muir (Nosferatu) — comes after Ruth E. Carter became the first Black person to win Best Costume Design for 2018’s Black Panther. She repeated the honor for the film’s 2022 sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Carter’s consecutive wins had previously broken barriers in this category, paving the way for Tazewell’s historic moment.
Paul has swept the board this awards season for his work creating more than 1,000 costumes for Wicked, winning at the BAFTAS, Critics Choice and Costume Designers Guild awards. His clean sweep of major industry honors underscores the universal acclaim for his innovative approach to the fantastical world of Oz.
This Academy Award win puts him three quarters on the way of the coveted EGOT, having previously won an Emmy for “The Wiz Live” and a Tony Award for Hamilton. As well as an Oscar, the EGOT is rounded out by a Grammy win. The EGOT represents one of the rarest accomplishments in entertainment.
Tazewell’s career spans more than three decades, during which he has designed costumes for numerous Broadway productions, films, and television specials. His distinctive style combines historical accuracy with bold creative choices that help define characters visually. His work on Wicked incorporated intricate details while reimagining them for contemporary audiences.
The costume designer’s journey to this historic moment began at the North Carolina School of the Arts, where he studied design before launching his career in New York theater. His Broadway credits include groundbreaking productions like Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk, In the Heights, and The Color Purple, establishing him as one of theater’s most versatile and respected designers.
Industry colleagues have praised Tazewell’s methodical approach to costume design, noting his extensive research process and collaboration with actors to ensure costumes enhance character development. For Wicked, he worked closely with director Jon M. Chu to create visual transformations that track the emotional journeys of Elphaba and Glinda.
The significance of Tazewell’s win extends beyond personal achievement, highlighting changing dynamics in fields historically dominated by White women. Costume design has seen increasing diversity in recent years, with more designers of color receiving recognition for their contributions to visual storytelling in film and theater.
In the press room following his win, Tazewell emphasized the importance of representation in all aspects of filmmaking, expressing hope that his achievement would inspire young designers from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in costume design. The historic Oscar victory caps an extraordinary awards season for Wicked, which has garnered praise for its visual spectacle and faithful adaptation of the beloved musical.
