STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

2022 Oscars Nominations: Denzel Washington And Will Smith Are Up For Best Actor

Only three Black folks in major categories for the 94th award ceremony were announced.

The 94th annual Academy Awards nominations have been revealed and the lack of diversity has won yet again.

Only three Black folks from major categories for the award ceremony were announced during the nomination event hosted by Leslie Jordan and Tracee Ellis Ross.

King Richard, starring Will Smith, was nominated in six categories including Best Actor for his role playing Richard Williams. Aunjanue Ellis, who also stars in the film as Oracene ‘Brandy’ Williams, was nominated for Best Supporting Actress.

RELATED: #OscarsSoWhite: Black Actors Snubbed by the Oscars

Denzel Washington’s stunning performance in the Joel Coen-directed The Tragedy of Macbeth, also scored him a nomination for Best Actor. His nod is now his 10th overall nomination at the Oscars as he continues his record as the most-nominated Black actor in Academy Awards history.

Rounding out the very small list of diverse folks for the 2022 Oscars was Ariana DeBose who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Anita in West Side Story. Beyoncé's "Be Alive" was also nominated in the Best Original Song category.

In the light of the diversity news, DeBose headed to her Instagram to share her reaction about her nomination.

“WHAT JUST HAPPENED!?! 🤯,” she captioned her tweet. “Once I compose myself I’ll have real words to say. But until then… 🤯🙀🤪”

A host has not been named for the 2022 Academy Awards ceremony, which will take place on Sunday, March 27. The show airs live at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ABC.

See the full list of nominations here.

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.