Ariana DeBose Isn’t Going Anywhere: The Burden of “Proving It” Over and Over
by Chris Peterson, Onstage Blog Founder
Let’s be honest, the internet and social media are full of so-called pundits who say ridiculous things. Some may even accuse me of being one. But after the commercial and critical failure of the new movie Love Hurts, I’ve been seen some folk begin the question the quality of Ariana DeBose’s post-Oscar career.
Now if these folks were coming from a place of genuine concern, I would quell their fears and let them know that she’s doing just fine. But instead, it’s white film nerds who smugly seem befuddled that a woman of color hasn’t had an A-List career, even after winning an Oscar.
Had these trolls done even the slightest bit of research, or at least put themselves in the shoes of a working actor, they would realize that not only has DeBose had a successful post-Oscar career(which is only three years btw), but she’s also setting herself up for future successes.
Let’s be clear: Ariana DeBose is not “struggling.” Her trajectory is not an anomaly, nor is it a failure. Rather, it is part of an industry pattern that has made it historically difficult for women of color, even those who have reached the pinnacle of Oscar glory—to ascend to A-list status.
But let’s break down her post-Oscar career as an exercise. Pretend your Ariana and I’m your agent and I’m pitching you the next projects being offered to you(oh yeah, you don’t have to audition anymore, a dream come true for any actor).
“Ariana, congratulations on winning an Oscar, the following projects are being offered to you.
Disney would have you star in their next animated feature where you’ll not only be the lead character speaking voice but also singing as well. What human being, let alone musical theatre performer is going to turn that down?
Matthew Vaughn, one of the best action movie directors on the planet who doesn’t typically miss, would like you to appear in basically 5 mins of his next movie where you’ll be paid well for 3-Days of work. What actor would turn that down?
Jason Blum and Blumhouse Studios, only one of the hottest studios to work for, would like to make a movie with you as the star and by the way, you’re getting Amazon money. Any agent would drop you for turning that down.
.87North Productions, again one of the hottest studios to work for, would like you to co star in their next action movie, and be paid six figures. Are you going to turn that down?
Keep in mind, DeBose had no control over the finished product of these projects, and with the exception of Love Hurts, she’s not even close to being one of the worst aspects of them.
While winning an Academy Award is supposed to be a career-defining moment, the golden ticket to top-tier roles, lucrative deals, and the kind of industry clout that ensures longevity, the reality is different for actresses of color.
Are you going to tell me that Octavia Spencer, Jennifer Hudson, or Regina King have had “A-List” careers since winning their Oscars? It took Lupita Nyong’o almost five years after her Oscar win to get back into what many consider the “mainstream” with Black Panther. And despite being considered one of the best actresses on the planet, Viola Davis hasn’t had the “A-List” career under the criteria these trolls seem to have.
For actresses of color, and I do mean women because men don’t historically have this problem, winning an Oscar is not a guaranteed pathway to superstardom—it is often just the start of another battle to prove that their success was not a fluke.
Part of the reason the “Ariana is struggling” narrative is gaining traction is that Hollywood—and audiences—often demand that actresses of color continually prove their worth. One Oscar, one major hit, is never enough. There’s an expectation that their next role must be just as award-worthy, their next film must be just as commercially successful, or else their careers are in jeopardy.
White actresses are afforded more leeway to experiment, to have a string of commercial flops, or to take creative risks without the fear of “losing momentum.” With what peoiple are saying about DeBose, you could easily say the same about Anne Hathaway or Alicia Vikander, yet I don’t see the same debate raging about their careers. Where has Rachel Weisz been for the past 20 years since her Oscar? By the way, the answer is, they’re all doing just fine.
Ariana DeBose has been deliberately carving out a career that aligns with her skills, interests, and the realities of the industry. She’s getting on the good side of major studios, illustrated by the fact that one of her next projects is starring in an Amazon series with Nicole Kidman.
Her story is not one of struggle; it’s one of navigating an industry with an awareness of its challenges while continuing to shine. Instead of asking if Ariana DeBose will last, the real question should be: When will Hollywood finally give actresses of color the same opportunities, forgiveness, and longevity that their white peers enjoy as a given?