Ruth E Carter has made Oscars history by becoming the most-nominated Black woman across all categories, earning her fifth career nomination for her work on the film Sinners. The Ryan Coogler-directed blues-infused vampire epic, set in the Jim Crow-era Mississippi Delta, received a record 16 nominations overall.
Carter's latest nomination surpasses Viola Davis, placing her alongside Spike Lee and Morgan Freeman as one of the three most-nominated Black creatives, behind only the late Quincy Jones and Denzel Washington. She previously won Academy Awards for Black Panther (2018) and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2023), becoming the first Black woman to achieve two Oscars.
Reflecting on her achievement, Carter told the Associated Press: 'It’s ... pride, gratitude, responsibility. This is a major step in the development of our voices in Hollywood.' Her career includes prior nominations for Malcolm X and Amistad, and her designs have dressed stars such as Denzel Washington and Oprah Winfrey.
For Sinners, Carter approached costume design as an act of protection, aiming to safeguard the visual truth of Black working-class life in the early 20th century. 'We made something out of nothing,' she said. 'We wanted to show how we took things for what they were and still found a way to celebrate.'
Carter credited Coogler as a vital voice for Black cinema, adding: 'I thank the Lord that Ryan Coogler was born, because he continues to tell stories that are important to the culture.' She hopes her record inspires young designers, stating: 'This isn’t a fluke. It’s hard work. It’s voice. It’s vision. And it’s staying.'
