Oscars 2025: ‘Wicked’ Costume Designer Paul Tazewell Becomes First Black Man to Win in His Category

Paul Tazewell made history at Sunday’s Academy Awards, when he became the first Black man to win the Oscar for best costume design.

Tazewell picked up the award for his work on the elaborate costumes in Wicked. During his acceptance speech, the Akron, Ohio native reminded the audience of the significance of his win.

“This is absolutely astounding. Thank you academy for this very significant honor. I’m the first Black man to receive a costume design award,” he said to applause. “I’m so proud of this.”

Related: Oscars 2025: Complete Winners List From Zoe Saldaña to Paul Tazewell

“This is everything.”

Paul Tazewell made history by becoming the first Black man to win the Oscar for Best Costume Design.#Oscarshttps://t.co/nl9CxOviL4 pic.twitter.com/TcSHpEotcW

— ABC News (@ABC) March 3, 2025

Tazewell thanked his team in the U.K. for their “beautiful work” on The Wizard of Oz prequel.

“I could not have done this without you,” he said, before showing his appreciation for the film’s lead actresses, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.

“My Ozian muses, Cynthia and Ariana, I love you so much — all the other cast, thank you, thank you, thank you for trusting me with bringing your characters to life. This is everything,” the costumer continued.

Cameras in Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre showed Erivo and Grande applauding Tazewell’s win. He ended by thanking the film’s director, Jon M. Chu.

The costume designer faced tough completion in the category. The other nominees were Arianne Phillips for A Complete Unknown; Lisy Christl for Conclave; Janty Yates and Dave Crossman for Gladiator II; and Linda Muir for Nosferatu.

Tazewell is now the second Black person to win an Oscar in the costume design category after Ruth E. Carter won for Black Panther in 2019 and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in 2023.

Watch Paul Tazewell give his speech in the video above.