'Wicked' Costume Designer Paul Tazewell Makes Oscars History

Tazewell, whose previous credits include Broadway's "Hamilton," described his win as "a 'Wizard of Oz' moment."

After crafting bewitching looks for Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, costume designer Paul Tazewell has made Hollywood history.

Tazewell won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design on Sunday for his work on the smash film adaptation of “Wicked.” In doing so, he became the first Black man to win the Oscar in his category ― a point he alluded to in his acceptance speech.

“This is absolutely astounding. Thank you, Academy, for this very significant honor,” he said. “I am the first Black man to receive the costume design award for my work on ‘Wicked.’ I’m so proud of this.”

Tazewell was presented with the Oscar by actor and comedian Bowen Yang, who appeared in “Wicked” and even cheekily wore a replica of one of his costumes onstage.

Tazewell’s win follows that of Ruth E. Carter, who in 2019 became the first Black woman to win the Oscar for Best Costume Design for “Black Panther.” She won in the same category in 2023 for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” becoming the first Black woman to win two Oscars.