by Maddie Baron ‘27

When Michael B Jordan lost in the Critics’ Choice Awards for his performance in Sinners to Timothee Chalamet, many fans and critics alike were surprised. Jordan’s portrayal of two distinct characters showcased intense emotional depth and immense skill, as he was able to demonstrate the difference between the two twins in the film at an emotional level while simultaneously shedding light on a dark topic through a vampire allegory. Many who tuned in for the award show reported they felt the loss was more than just an ordinary award result. Instead, many see his defeat as reflecting a larger pattern in Hollywood where Black performers often receive extensive praise for roles but are overlooked when the time comes to pass out major awards.

Award shows are celebrations of artistic excellence, but they also play an important role in shaping careers and opportunities for actors and actresses. Being nominated for an award, let alone winning one, can lead to larger roles, higher pay, and greater influence in the film industry as a whole. For black actors and actresses, recognition for something so prestigious is especially important because they have historically faced limited opportunities for leading roles due to prejudice.

The controversy surrounding Jordan’s loss is not new, as black performers have long been overlooked despite delivering powerful performances. The scarcity of Academy Award Oscar wins, especially for lead roles, for black performers, emphasizes ongoing issues with diversity and inclusion. Discussions often point to institutionalized racism within the Academy, making it difficult for black actors, particularly darker-skinned women, to find multifaceted lead roles. In 1993, Angela Bassett delivered an outstanding portrayal of Tina Turner in What’s Love Got to Do With It, yet she did not receive an Academy Award, losing to Holly Hunter for her role in The Piano. Similarly, Denzel Washington’s performance in Malcom X in 1992 is widely considered one of the most iconic and influential biographical portrayals in film history, yet he also lost an Oscar to a white actor. This issue still stands after more than 30 years. It was universally speculated that Chadwick Boseman would win Best Actor in 2021 for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, but the award instead went to Anthony Hopkins. These repeated outcomes have fueled conversations about fairness and representation in major award institutions.

The issue came to a head with the #OscarsSoWhite movement, starting around 2015, when no actors of color were nominated in acting categories for two consecutive years, highlighting a systemic lack of recognition for black actors and actresses. Halle Berry remains the only black woman to win Best Actress for performance in Monster’s Ball in 2001.

The 98th Academy Awards takes place this March 15. Sinners has a record-breaking 16 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and, much anticipated, Best Actor. Will Michael B Jordan walk up to the stage and become the 6th black performer to win an Oscar for best male performance? If past patterns hold, it’s unlikely.