Halle Berry Is ‘Eternally Miffed’ She’s Still the Only Black Woman to Win Oscar for Best Actress

In the 96 years that the Oscars have existed, only two women of color have ever won the award for Best Actress — Halle Berry, the only Black Best Actress winner, for her performance in 2001’s Monster’s Ball and Michelle Yeoh, the only Asian winner in the category, for Everything Everywhere All at Once in 2023.

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When speaking to Marie Claire for a recent profile, Berry expressed her continued disappointment with the Oscars. “I’m still eternally miffed that no Black woman has come behind me for that best actress Oscar, I’m continually saddened by that year after year,” Berry told the publication. “And it’s certainly not because there has been nobody deserving.” The actress pointed to recent Oscar-nominated performances by Andra Day and Viola Davis.

Berry has previously criticized the Academy for its lack of diversity. Following 2016’s social media movement, #OscarsSoWhite, the actress spoke with then- Teen Vogue’ s editor-in-chief Elaine Welteroth. While Berry recognized her historic moment at the 2002 Oscars, she also stated that she still thought it wasn’t enough.

“I sat there and I really thought, ‘Wow, that moment really meant nothing. It meant nothing. I thought it meant something, but I think it meant nothing,’” said Berry, referencing the lack of progress since winning the category. “I was profoundly hurt by that, and saddened by that.”

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For Berry, however, the #OscarsSoWhite movement posed a challenge. “It inspired me to try to get involved in other ways, which is why I want to start directing,” she added. “I want to start producing more. I want to start making more opportunities for people of color. I have conversations more deeply with Academy members, and I’m trying to figure out how to help and add more diversity to the Academy.”

Berry recently starred in Netflix’s The Union alongside Mark Whalberg, and will feature in the upcoming horror film Never Let Go , set to release in theaters on Sept. 20.

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