Ariana Debose

Ariana DeBose, born on January 25, 1991, in Wilmington, North Carolina, began her career in dance, training at CC & Co. Dance Complex in Raleigh. Her television debut came in 2009 as a contestant on the sixth season of “So You Think You Can Dance,” where she reached the top 20. She then transitioned to Broadway, appearing in “Bring It On: The Musical” (2011), “Motown: The Musical” (2013), and “Pippin” (2014). From 2015 to 2016, DeBose was part of the original ensemble for Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Hamilton” before taking on the role of Jane in “A Bronx Tale” (2016-2017).

Her career gained significant momentum with her breakthrough role as Disco Donna in “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical,” earning her a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical in 2018. DeBose’s presence in film and television grew with roles in Netflix’s “The Prom” (2020) and Apple TV+’s “Schmigadoon!” (2021-2023). However, it was her portrayal of Anita in Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” (2021) that brought her widespread recognition, leading to an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress. This made her the first queer woman of color to win an Oscar in an acting category. She also hosted the Tony Awards in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

More recently, DeBose has continued her work in various film projects, including “I.S.S.” (2024), “Argylle” (2024), and voicing Asha in Disney’s animated film “Wish” (2023). She is set to appear in “Kraven the Hunter” (2024), “Love Hurts” (2025), “Tow” (2025), and in the upcoming film “Lear Rex” as Cordelia alongside Al Pacino. Time magazine recognized her influence by naming her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2022. She also launched the Unruly Hearts Initiative with Jo Ellen Pellman in 2020 to support the LGBTQ+ community.