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American Morning
Hollywood History Made at Oscars
Aired March 25, 2002 - 09:40 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: There was plenty of pre-Oscar buzz surrounding the nominations of three African-Americans in the leading actor categories, and last night, the question of whether Hollywood history would be made was answered in dramatic fashion. Halle Berry, of course, won the best actress Oscar for her performance in "Monster's Ball." She is the first African-American to win the award for leading lady, and she tearfully dedicated her Oscar to women of color.
Berry's win was followed by Denzel Washington's victory in the best actor race. He became just the second African-American to win in that category. So, is a new day dawning in Hollywood?
Joining us now from Los Angeles, movie director John Singleton, an Academy Award nominee back in 1991.
Good to see you. Thanks for joining us at this early hour in Los Angeles.
JOHN SINGLETON, DIRECTOR: Good morning, how are you feeling?
ZAHN: I'm feeling great, John, because I didn't stay up all night like you did.
SINGLETON: I've been up all night, but I feel great.
ZAHN: You've got a lot to celebrate. I know that Denzel Washington said he was hoping that the headlines wouldn't read you know "Black Actors Take Home Twin Honors," but in fact that's what most say today. Do you wish that distinction of race would evaporate?
SINGLETON: Actually, I would. I think that nobody aspires to be the best black anything. I think that everyone, you know, who is truly about the art aspires to be the best at what they do. And the phenomenal thing about Halle and Denzel winning is they gave phenomenal performances. And I mean, you know, it wasn't about them being the best black actors of the year; they were the best actors of the year. Look at, you know, it's just a genuine Hollywood moment for them both to receive Oscars. It was just magical.
ZAHN: Based on what you said, do you think the fact the distinction, because the distinction race is being made, do you think it diminishes from the achievement last night? SINGLETON: No, I don't think it diminishes. Just the fact that, you know, people will be walking through history. You know, things are changing. I mean, you know, it's been almost 39 years since African-American won for best actor, and the 74 years of the Academy's history first time black woman has won. I think great when we come to day where there are no more blast firsts anything. It's just like, there are so many different doors that need to be torn down.
ZAHN: Of course...
SINGLETON: And going further, for black people, or for just people of color, I mean, you know, these are the first -- this is first black woman ever to win best actress. When is going to be first Asian woman to win best actress?
ZAHN: That's a very good point. And I guess the true test will come when will we begin to see the kinds of films that these movie companies will allow African-American and other minorities to open?
SINGLETON: I think that's happening. I always say, I give lectures about film, and I think American film is becoming more American, because you know, you have different stars, and the stars in most of the films are basically more reflective of multiethnic America. You have Jackie Chan, and Chris Tucker and Jennifer Lopez, and Vin Diesel and The Rock, and you have all these different people, who are truly American, representative of what America actually is, huge box office stars. So I mean, I think we are moving toward, you know, some type of a positive change.
ZAHN: And you are certainly a man who speaks from experience. Having your fair share of firsts yourself. We should make clear when you were nominated, you were not only the youngest...
SINGLETON: Ten years ago.
(CROSSTALK)
SINGLETON: Nominated for best director. Ten years later, look -- I'm so elated, man, I -- my thing is I think most revolutionary thing I feel about Denzel winning is Denzel won best actor yesterday evening for playing a bad guy. A black man won an Oscar for playing bad guy, not an acceptable grinning portrait of what Hollywood thinks about black man should be, but, you know, a genuinely bad guy. So it was -- his thing, it was just about the work. It wasn't about anything else other than that. I think that, that that's a true sign of how things are actually changing in Hollywood.
ZAHN: Thank you very much for sharing your pride in all this with us this morning.
Continued good luck to you, John.
ZAHN: Thank you very much -- Paula.
ZAHN: John Singleton, a man who we will be hearing about much in the future. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
