Despite all its prestige and glory, the Academy has been called out time and again for turning a blind eye to Black talent, particularly Black women, both in front of and behind the camera. Accusations of systemic racism and lack of representation at the Oscars have only grown louder in recent years. As the 2025 ceremony draws closer, the conversation about the Academy’s failings has once again risen from the ashes.

Halle Berry, the first Black woman to carve her name into Oscar history, is now speaking out against the persistent claims of racism that have dogged the institution for years. 

It is not just that Halle Berry became the first Black woman to win an Oscar for Best Actress in the 73 years since the ceremony’s inception. But she is also the only one to ever take home the title. Now, 22 years since that historic night, the silence continues. In a recent interview with Marie Claire, Berry expressed that she is "eternally miffed" that no Black woman has claimed the Best Actress Oscar since her win. “I'm continually saddened by that year after year,” said the Introducing Dorothy Dandridge actress.

Berry also underscored that this issue is not due to a lack of worthy nominees. She made it clear that the Academy’s consistent overlooking of Black talent is “certainly not because there has been nobody deserving”. She mentioned stars like Andra Day and Viola Davis, performers she believed should have taken home the honor in recent years. But this is not the first time Berry has opened up about the subject either.

Was Halle Berry Ignored for ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Return? Storm Actress Sheds Light on Blake Lively Incident

Berry once revealed that her 2002 win, while a career-defining moment, remained one of the "biggest heartbreaks" in her life. 

Halle Berry once sat down for an interview with Variety where she got candid about her experiences with the Oscars and Hollywood in general. When she won her award, she had hoped that it would open doors for more Black women at the Oscars. Unfortunately, that dream never materialized, and it left a deep ache in her heart. Her post-Oscar journey was not exactly smooth, either.

Berry told Variety that winning an Oscar did not automatically create opportunities for her. “I was just continuing to forge a way out of no way,” said the actress. While it is seemingly rare for Black talents to win an Oscar, all the more for Black queer talents, with actresses like Lupita Nyong’o now being considered for an Oscar, there is hope that a Black woman might once again make history after 23 years.

What Happened To The Ambitious $40,000,000 Sci-Fi Netflix Film ‘The Mothership’ Starring Halley Berry After Its 2021 Announcement?

What do you think about Halle Berry’s interview? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!