Halle Berry, the groundbreaking American actress and trailblazer for black women in Hollywood, has shared her candid thoughts on the Oscars system, arguing that it is inherently biased and not designed to honor black women in leading roles.
In a revealing interview for the Apple TV+ two-part documentary Number One Call On the Sheet, Berry, who made history as the first and only black woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress, opened up about her experiences navigating an industry that has often overlooked black women for top honors.
The documentary, which delves into the struggles of black actors in Hollywood, showcases Berry’s reflections on the Oscar race and the barriers faced by women of color in the film industry. Despite her historic win in 2002 for her powerful performance in Monster’s Ball, the 58-year-old actress questioned the lasting impact of her award.
“It’s forced me to ask myself, did it matter?” Berry shared in the documentary. “Did it really change anything for women of color? For my sisters? For our journey?”
Berry went on to express that the Oscars system was never truly designed to uplift black women, advising her fellow actresses to stop chasing the elusive prize. Instead, she emphasized the importance of using their platform to touch lives and make meaningful change.
“We have to stop coveting that which is not for us,” she said. “At the end of the day, it’s about how we touch the lives of people—that’s fundamentally what art is for.”
Her comments come amid ongoing discussions around diversity and representation in Hollywood. Since Berry’s historic win, no other black woman has been awarded the coveted Best Actress statue, though several have earned nominations. As of this year, 13 black actresses have been nominated for Best Actress, with Cynthia Erivo being the most recent nominee. Erivo, nominated for her role in Wicked, lost to Mikey Madison, who won for her performance in Anora.
Berry’s win in 2002 remains a milestone in Oscar history, with the actress continuing to break barriers both in front of and behind the camera. She has since garnered additional accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe.
