Ruth E. Carter has made history again, becoming the most-nominated Black woman in Oscar history with her fifth nomination for best costume design for her work on Ryan Coogler's film 'Sinners'. The nomination surpasses her previous tie with actress Viola Davis, who has four nominations.
Carter's nomination places her alongside Spike Lee and Morgan Freeman as the third most-nominated Black creative overall, trailing Quincy Jones (seven) and Denzel Washington (nine). She is the only Black woman to win an Oscar more than once, having won for 'Black Panther' (2018) and its sequel 'Wakanda Forever' (2022). Her other nominations include 'Malcolm X' (1992) and 'Amistad' (1997).
'Sinners' received a record 16 nominations, including acting nods for Michael B. Jordan, Delroy Lindo, and Wunmi Mosaku. Ryan Coogler became only the second Black filmmaker nominated in the same year for producing, directing, and original screenplay, following Jordan Peele's triple recognition for 'Get Out' (2017). Coogler is also the seventh Black director nominated for best director.
Other historic nominations include Zinzi Coogler as the first Filipina producer and third Black woman nominated for best picture, and Autumn Durald Arkapaw as the first woman of color nominated for cinematography. Hannah Beachler earned her second nomination for production design, remaining the only Black woman recognized in that category.
Since 1929, only 20 of over 3,100 Oscar statuettes have been awarded to Black women, approximately 0.006%. Final voting takes place from February 26 to March 5, with the 98th Oscars on March 15, hosted by Conan O'Brien.
