Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose, born on January 25, 1991, is an American actress, singer, and dancer. She has received various accolades, including a British Academy Film Award and a Golden Globe Award.
Ariana is a powerful advocate for representation in the arts. As an openly queer Afro-Latina actress, she has used her platform to champion diversity and inclusion in Hollywood and Broadway. She actively supports LGBTQ+ rights and has spoken openly about the importance of authentic representation in media. Through her work, she has inspired countless individuals from underrepresented communities to pursue their dreams fearlessly. Her remarkable contributions to the entertainment industry earned her a spot on Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2022.
Early life
Born on January 25, 1991, in Wilmington, North Carolina, Ariana DeBose grew up in a diverse household with a Puerto Rican father and a White mother. Her ancestry includes African-American and Italian roots. From an early age, Her grandmother often took her to festivals, where she was exposed to different forms of art and music. She started taking dance classes at three, honing her skills in various artistic disciplines. DeBose attended Western Carolina University but eventually left to pursue her dreams in the entertainment world. Throughout high school, she engaged in local stage productions including Les Misérables, and had aspirations of becoming a backup dancer. At the age of 18, still in high school, she appeared on television as a contestant on So You Think You Can Dance in 2009.
Career
In 2009, DeBose gained recognition as a contestant on the TV show So You Think You Can Dance, making it to the top 20, and in 2011, she made her Broadway debut in Bring It On: The Musical.
In 2013, Ariana DeBose played Mary Wilson in Motown: The Musical. In 2014, she joined the cast of Pippin on Broadway. From 2015 to 2016, she was part of the original ensemble in Hamilton. She portrayed Jane in A Bronx Tale, continuing in that role until 2017.
In 2013, Ariana DeBose played Mary Wilson in Motown: The Musical. In 2014, she joined the cast of Pippin on Broadway. From 2015 to 2016, she was part of the original ensemble in Hamilton. In 2016, she portrayed Jane in A Bronx Tale, continuing in that role until 2017
In 2018, she earned a Tony Award nomination for her role as Donna Summer in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical. In 2020, she starred in the Netflix musical comedy film The Prom. She received widespread praise for her performance as Anita in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress In 2021.
In 2023, she voiced the main character Asha in the animated film Wish. In 2024, she played leading roles in the science-fiction thriller I.S.S. and the spy film Argylle.
- Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress
- BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role
- Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress
- Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best Supporting Actress.
- Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role