Oscars: How Sinners’ Ruth E. Carter Made Her Own “Historic Story”

It would be a sin to miss Ruth E. Carter‘s history-making moment.

The costume designer for Sinners made history on January 22nd, becoming the most-nominated Black woman ever in any Oscar category when she received her fifth Academy Award nomination for Best Costume Design. She was well aware of the significance of this achievement.

Ruth shared with TopMob News that she was surprised to learn of her historic nomination. Ava DuVernay texted her the news, and Ruth said her initial reaction was simply, ‘Wow.’ She admitted she tends to avoid thinking too much about potential awards, perhaps out of superstition, and doesn’t dwell on what a nomination would mean in terms of a total count.

She said reading it felt incredibly significant, like witnessing a historic moment. She realized she wasn’t just sharing historical stories, but actively creating her own place within African American history, and that felt deeply powerful.

Designing the costumes for the movie Sinners, featuring Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, and Delroy Lindo, was made easier by the costume designer Ruth’s extensive knowledge of history.

She shared that she’s spent years studying the history and experiences of Black Americans. She dove deeply into the work of photographers like James Van Der Zee, carefully examining the people in their photos – their clothing, style, and how they presented themselves.

After a long and successful career, the 65-year-old designer—known for their work on historical projects like Selma, Marshall, and the 2016 Roots miniseries—finally received the recognition they deserved. They had previously earned nominations for their designs on the films Malcolm X (1992) and Amistad (1997).

Ruth E. Carter won her first Academy Award in 2019 for the costumes she designed for the film Black Panther, including those worn by Michael, Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyong’o, and Angela Bassett. She then won her second Oscar four years later for her work on the sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

After working with director Ryan Coogler on the successful Marvel movie, Ruth felt incredibly comfortable reuniting with him for his new vampire period piece, especially as he’s nominated for both Best Director and Best Original Screenplay at the upcoming Oscars.

As a creative, I’m always drawn to unique projects, and this film was exactly that! It was built from an entirely original screenplay – a really special story. Now, Black Panther was fantastic and original too, but this one felt a little more intimate and focused. Honestly, the whole experience felt like working with a close-knit family. And, interestingly, we pulled it off with about half the budget of Black Panther! It just proves you don’t need a massive budget to create something truly meaningful.

The movie Sinners broke records at the Oscars, receiving a total of 16 nominations. This surpassed the previous record of 14 nominations, which had been held by All About Eve (1950), Titanic (1997), and La La Land (2016).

Ever since learning the news, Ruth has made a point of appreciating all the factors that led to this achievement. She jokingly said she felt immense gratitude for who she is right now, and was thrilled that Ryan Coogler’s work received three nominations.

Read on for more reactions from this year’s Oscar nominees.

The actor expressed their gratitude upon hearing the news this morning. They thanked the Academy for acknowledging and appreciating The Secret Agent, and also congratulated Gabriel Domingues and the film’s incredibly talented and diverse cast.

He congratulated his friends Kleber Mendonça Filho and Emilie Lesclaux, saying he shared the nomination with Brazil and its people, who consistently demonstrate strong support, pride, and love for their culture.

I’m incredibly honored to receive this nomination and to be back in Norway with my amazing cast and crew, especially as we celebrate our nine history-making nominations – it feels surreal! This film was a true collaboration with a fantastic team, led by the brilliant Joachim Trier. It’s an amazing day for all of us, including my fellow actors Stellan, Inga, and Elle, our wonderful co-writer Eskil, and Olivier, our editor who always elevates our work.

She concluded, “I’m so grateful our story is being met with such generosity by the Academy.”

Honestly, this nomination has completely overwhelmed me – I’m truly speechless. Working on SINNERS was such a labor of love, and seeing the whole film get this kind of recognition is incredibly moving. Ryan’s vision was so bold, and everyone involved – from the crew to my unbelievably talented co-stars – poured their hearts and souls into this project. It was an unforgettable experience, and I’m so grateful to have been a part of it.

She expressed deep gratitude to Ryan, her fellow cast members, and everyone who contributed their skills to bringing this story to life. She also thanked the Academy for recognizing their efforts.

I’ve loved acting and actors for as long as I can remember,” said the star of Frankenstein. “It’s wonderful to be performing alongside people I’ve admired for years. I want to thank my close friend Guillermo del Toro, my partners Oscar and Mia, and everyone on our creative team. I’m passionate about this character and about film in general. Thank you to the Academy and to everyone watching at home.

“I can’t believe this!” said the actor from One Battle After Another. “This is the best way for an actor to start the day. I’m so grateful to the Academy for this honor. It’s incredibly humbling to be recognized alongside such talented peers – including my fellow actor, Sean – who have all done amazing work.”

He shared that playing Sensei was a wonderful opportunity. He especially enjoyed working with Paul and Leo to create Sensei’s world and tell a story that felt important and grand. As an actor and movie fan, it was a truly fulfilling experience. He concluded by quoting Sensei: “Ocean waves for everyone!”

Emma expressed her gratitude to the Academy for the nominations received by Bugonia. She credited the film’s success to director Yorgos Lanthimos, highlighting their creative partnership and friendship. She also shared the recognition with Jesse Plemons, as well as the entire cast, crew, and production team. Emma stated that being nominated alongside such talented individuals was a great honor and she was deeply thankful for the support.

As a creative professional, I was absolutely thrilled to hear about the Oscar nominations! It’s incredibly humbling – and frankly, a little overwhelming – to be part of a film that’s achieved this level of recognition, especially considering it’s a first for Norwegian cinema. We made this movie with a lot of heart and attention to detail, and to see it resonate with so many people, despite our limited marketing budget, is truly rewarding. It feels like a wonderful, ongoing adventure, and I can’t wait to celebrate with everyone involved soon!

In a statement, Leo described making the film as a deeply meaningful and collaborative experience. He credited the generosity, bravery, and skill of the cast – including Teyana Taylor, Chase Infiniti, Benny del Toro, Sean Penn, and Regina Hall – as well as the dedication of the entire crew for making it all happen.

Leonardo DiCaprio said the film wouldn’t have happened without director Paul Thomas Anderson’s vision, hard work, and faith in the project. He praised Anderson for bringing a complicated but timely story to life, and expressed his gratitude to the Academy for acknowledging it.

Wow, what an honor! I was so thrilled to hear Leo acknowledge all the other amazing nominees – they truly deserve recognition for their incredible work this season. And his thanks to the Academy felt so genuine and heartfelt. It was a perfect ending to a fantastic night!

Kate expressed her excitement and gratitude after receiving a nomination. “It’s such an incredible feeling!” she said in a statement. “I’m overjoyed and so happy to be celebrating alongside the other talented women nominated. Being a part of Song Sung Blue has been a true honor for me.”

“I’m just stunned,” said the star of Sentimental Value. “I’m incredibly happy and proud of Elle, Stellan, and Renate for being recognized for their fantastic work in the film, and also of our amazing editor, Olivier.”

The director expressed immense gratitude, saying the film wouldn’t have happened without Joachim’s creative direction and leadership, as well as the wonderful story and characters he developed with Eskil. She described the nomination as a landmark moment for Norwegian film and shared heartfelt thanks to her family – particularly her husband and son – for their unwavering love and support. She ended with a deeply emotional expression of her love for them.

I was completely shocked when I heard the news and I just started screaming,” she told Deadline right after the nominations were revealed. “I honestly can’t believe it. It’s a huge honor, and I’m speechless.

Byrne expressed her shock and gratitude at being nominated alongside such talented actresses – Jessie Buckley, Renate Reinsve, Kate Hudson, and Emma Stone. She called the film a unique and incredible experience, describing the role of Linda as a ‘gift.’ She was deeply honored by the Academy’s recognition of the film and her performance, calling it beyond her expectations, and shared the honor with Mary Bronstein.

 

The actor said playing the role of Larry Hart was the biggest challenge he’d faced in his four decades of acting. He also expressed how honored he was to work with his close friend and highly respected director, Richard Linklater, on the film Blue Moon.

He reflected on first reading Robert Kaplow’s excellent screenplay, now nominated for an Oscar, which beautifully portrays both the challenges and rewards of being an artist. He expressed gratitude to The Academy for acknowledging their film, and for recognizing the contributions of the entire cast, crew, and artistic team who brought BLUE MOON to life in Ireland.

The star of Sentimental Value expressed her disbelief and excitement on Instagram after the nominations were announced. “Is this real? Is this a dream?” she wrote, adding that she was completely shocked and honored. She especially appreciated that her first Academy Award nomination was for a film celebrating the impact of movies and the importance of family, and shared that her mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt were there with her to share the joyful moment.

Elle was overjoyed with the film’s nominations, exclaiming, “I’m so full of love! Everyone from the movie got nominated!”

“To be an Academy Award nominee is beyond anything I ever allowed myself to fully believe was possible,” the One Battle After Another star shared in a statement. “I am so deeply emotional, so humbled, and so grateful for every person who has walked this road with me & honored to be nominated alongside these amazing women in my category.”

 
She continued, “My career has been filled with battles, doubts, and moments of deep uncertainty. It has felt like one long fight for space, for respect, and for opportunity. But today feels like a gentle reminder that dreams really do survive… even when the journey is hard. Today feels like a soft, beautiful ‘yes’ from the universe.”
 
“And as I always say… the wait was not punishment,” Teyana added, “it was preparation for what was already written.”

“It’s an absolute honour to be recognised by the Academy,” the Hamnet star shared. “I am so proud to be standing beside all these extraordinary artists and fellow nominees whose work has inspired me and moved me!”
 
Chloé Zhao you cracked my heart wide open when you asked me to step into Maggie O’Farrell’s world and create our Agnes beside you,” she added. “Paul [Mescal], there is no Agnes without you. I’m so grateful to have been part of this story with the incredible village of artists I shared it with.”
 
She concluded, “To make anything at all is an absolute triumph, and this recognition belongs to every artist who bravely pours themselves into the work and journeys towards the undiscovered landscapes of their souls. I’m delighted, deeply grateful and humbled to be part of this community. Thank you.”

Oh my goodness, I’m still reeling! She actually said she’s grateful to the Academy – can you believe it?! Forty years! Forty years since her first nomination for TWICE IN A LIFETIME, and she never thought this would happen again! It’s just… incredible. And she talked about Aunt Gladys! She said seeing everyone fall in love with Aunt Gladys has been one of the greatest joys of her life! It’s so heartwarming! She feels humbled to be nominated and to be alongside such talented actresses. I’m honestly crying! This is everything! She’s a legend, a true icon, and she deserves all the recognition in the world!

Maggie called the Best Picture nomination – and other accolades – for the movie based on her book “astonishing and joyous.”

She expressed her gratitude to the Academy for the nominations, acknowledging the hard work of everyone involved in Hamnet. She admitted that when she was writing the book, she never imagined it would receive such recognition, and feels like she’s dreaming.

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2026-01-23 18:49