Halle Berry Calls Out Academy For Still Being Only Black Best Actress Winner

Halle Berry made history in 2001 when she won the Best Actress Oscar for her role in Monster’s Ball.

The now 58-year-old actress was the first Black actress to win the top actress prize at the annual awards ceremony, after being only the seventh nominated.

Since her historic win, seven more Black actresses have been nominated for Best Actress In a Leading Role at the Academy Awards, but none have won.

In a new interview, Halle said she is saddened every year and calls out the Academy for there still not being another Black Best Actress winner.

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“I’m still eternally miffed that no Black woman has come behind me for that best actress Oscar, I’m continually saddened by that year after year,” she told Marie Claire. “And it’s certainly not because there has been nobody deserving.”

Halle noted that the last two Black nominees, Andra Day and Viola Davis were very deserving of winning the Best Actress in a Leading Role Oscar for their roles in The United States vs Billie Holiday and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, respectively. Previously, she also lauded Cynthia Erivo (in Harriet) and Ruth Negga (in Loving) as delivering Oscar-worthy performances.

While she is saddened that Black actresses have been snubbed over the years, she acknowledges that now, she would rather have a bustling career than an award. (Halle has famously opened up about how it was hard to find work after winning her Oscar.)

“Would I rather have awards or a kickass, robust, soaring career as a Black woman? I’d take the kickass, soaring career over an award any day,” she told the mag.

If you missed it, also in her Marie Claire interview, Halle opened up about falling in love with her current beau Van Hunt.

Halle will next be seen starring in the movie Never Let Go – Watch the trailer here!