In a night of Hollywood glamour, it was Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s raw emotion that stole the show. As Lupita Nyong’o announced her win for Best Supporting Actress, the actress, known for her powerhouse performance in “The Holdovers,” took the stage with tears streaming down her face.

“God is so good,” she began, her voice trembling.

It was a moment of profound gratitude, made even more poignant by her confession: “I didn’t think I was supposed to be doing this as a career.” This wasn’t a typical Hollywood trajectory. Randolph found her footing as a classical vocalist before her mother encouraged a fateful detour into the theatre department. That decision led to a Yale Drama degree, a Broadway breakthrough, and now, an Oscar.

Her speech was a testament to the power of authenticity. “For so long, I wanted to be different,”  Randolph shared. “And now, I realize I just need to be myself.” In an industry that often favors conformity, Randolph’s win is a reminder that finding your unique voice is the greatest gift.

Ntianu Obiora
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Ntianu Obiora is a versatile creative professional with over a decade of experience in publishing, marketing, communications, and digital strategy. She is the Online Editor at THEWILL DOWNTOWN