Everyone is eagerly anticipating the Oscars this evening; the time when all the stars come out with hopes of being on the best dressed list and taking home the gold.
Quvenzhane Wallis is the the youngest person to be nominated for an Oscar in the category of Best Female Actress in a Leading Role. She is following in the footsteps of Dorthy Dandridge, Diana Ross, Cicily Tyson, Diahann Carroll, Whoopi Goldberg, Angela Basset, Gabourey Sidibe, Viola Davis, and the only black woman to win an Oscar for Best Female Actress in a Leading Role: Halle Berry. Though Hollywood has come a long way there are still only a select amount of roles for African American women. She is paving the way for other little brown girls and boys, who want to be featured on the big screen.To be honest without the Oscar buzz I probably would not have heard about Quvenzhane; but after reading countless articles and interviews praising her work in Beasts of the Southern Wild, I decided to see what all the fuss was about.
Quvenzhane took on the role of Hushpuppy, originally a male role. Hushuppy lives in the eccentric town of Bathtub, motherless, with a father ill in body and mind. The story is sort of a coming of age, weaving through a childlike imagination and the harsh reality of living with a parent who has schizophrenic tendencies and a mother whose love you desire, but will never have. Her unique portrayal of this wounded bird is exemplary and, fingers crossed, she won't just be the youngest nominee, but by the end of tonight she will be the youngest winner.
Beasts of the Southern Wild helped to change the course of this young ladies life. She has been interviewed on several talk-shows, has taken on the role of Blessing in the movie short Boneshaker set to be released in 2013, and also in the movie Twelve Years a Slave, which is in post-production. The future is bright for this Lousiana native, so stay tuned for tonight's Oscars.
Peace, Love, and Cinematic History making
Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks
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