Bio
Ariana DeBose is an award winning actress known for her varying roles onstage and in film and television. DeBose is best known for her groundbreaking performance in Steven Spielberg’s reimagining of WEST SIDE STORY, for which she received an Academy Award in addition to BAFTA, Critics Choice and SAG Awards for her star turning role as Anita. Her performance has received universal critical acclaim, with Variety calling her a “radiant force of nature” and Forbes writing “Ariana DeBose shines in an absolutely star-making performance.” In winning her Oscar, she became the first openly queer Afro Latina to win an Academy Award.
Most recently, DeBose starred in Matthew Vaughn’s action film ARGYLLE (Apple/Universal), Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s space thriller I.S.S., and Disney's 100th anniversary animated feature film WISH. Her feature film slate for 2024 includes: Sony Pictures’ KRAVEN THE HUNTER and Blumhouse’s HOUSE OF SPOILS (Prime Video). She will also executive produce and star in the feature film TWO AND ONLY for Sony's Screen Gems.
In the past 2 years, DeBose hosted the 76th and 75th Annual Tony Awards, the former for which she was nominated for an Emmy Award for “Outstanding Variety Special.” In 2021, DeBose had a breakout role in “Schmigadoon!,” the Lorne Michaels’ executive produced Apple TV+ musical comedy series, for which she returned for its second season. She also received critical acclaim for her performance in Ryan Murphy's Netflix adaptation of the hit-Broadway musical THE PROM opposite Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Kerry Washington and James Corden.
DeBose currently sits on the International Board of Covenant House advocating for homeless youth, many of whom identify as LGBTQ. She is also a board member of A is For, a reproductive rights organization started by Martha Plimpton that works to ensure that all women have access to reproductive and abortion care free of stigma.
DeBose resides in New York.