Halle Berry Oscar: Makes History By Winning Best Leading Actress

In 1985, Halle Berry represented the state of Ohio in the Miss Teen All-American Pageant and won. A year later, she became the first runner-up in the Miss U.S.A. pageant. Following that pageant, she embarked on a modeling career. In other words, Berry is used to being beautiful. That’s not a bad label to have that is, unless you want a diverse acting career.

When Berry first started auditioning for roles, she went out for rough and rugged roles because she wanted to prove that she could play any character, but often heard “no” due to the fact that she was attractive. However, she didn’t let that stop her.

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“In the beginning, I used to have to downplay it because I wanted to be taken so seriously as a thespian and as an artist and as an actor,” Berry told Reelz.com. “I’d play crackheads and downtrodden women and disguise myself. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become more comfortable with who I really am and all parts of me knowing that my physical self doesn’t diminish me in any way or my talent.”

And it’s that sort of tenacity and bravery that has made Berry one of the most successful African-American actresses in history. She went on to appear in ground-breaking films like “Jungle Fever,” “Losing Isaiah,” “Introducing Dorothy Dandridge” and more. Throughout the years, she has won several prestigious awards for her talent, but in 2002, she made history when she became the first black woman to win an Oscar for Best Leading Actress, for her role in Monster’s Ball.

During her now famous teary acceptance speech, she thanked her Black female Hollywood predecessors and let the new generation of aspiring actresses know that this level of success in the film world is attainable if they believe in themselves and continue to work hard.

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“This moment is so much bigger than me. This moment is for Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, Diahann Carroll. It’s for the women that stand beside me, Jada Pinkett, Angela Bassett, Vivica Fox. And it’s for every nameless, faceless woman of color that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened. Thank you. I’m so honored. I’m so honored. And I thank the Academy for choosing me to be the vessel for which His blessing might flow.”

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