Top Actresses of Color Who Were Snubbed at the Oscars
Some of the most powerful performances in recent memory never reached the Dolby Theatre stage on nomination morning. This list highlights actresses of color whose standout work was overlooked or whose paths to the podium were cut short despite critical acclaim, festival buzz, and strong precursor momentum. From indie breakthroughs to global sensations, these turns sparked conversations, topped critics’ lists, and shaped film culture, even if the Academy did not fully recognize them.
Viola Davis
Her lead performance in ‘The Woman King’ anchored a major historical epic with commanding physicality and emotional depth. She earned key precursor recognition, including nominations from major guilds and critics groups. The film drew strong box office and audience scores while spotlighting underrepresented history. Despite the visibility and acclaim, she missed a Best Actress nomination.
Lupita Nyong’o
Her dual turn in ‘Us’ showcased precise physical choices and voice work that defined the film’s unnerving tone. She won top critics’ prizes and appeared on numerous year-end best lists. The performance became a cultural reference point, especially for discussions of genre acting. Even with widespread recognition, she did not land an Oscar nomination.
Alfre Woodard
In ‘Clemency’ she built a quiet, devastating portrait of an overburdened prison warden. The film won the Sundance Grand Jury Prize and her performance was celebrated across the festival circuit. She received Independent Spirit recognition and strong critical backing. The Academy still passed, leaving a widely cited omission.
Greta Lee
Her subtle, bilingual work in ‘Past Lives’ grounded the film’s time-spanning romance with lived-in detail. She collected major nominations from the Golden Globes and the Independent Spirit Awards. The film figured prominently in best-of-the-year lists and screenplay races. Yet a Best Actress nomination did not materialize.
Danielle Deadwyler
Her portrayal in ‘Till’ drew praise for balancing restrained grief with moral clarity. She earned nominations from key precursors, including major guild and British academy recognition. The performance became central to conversations about awards representation that season. Despite that momentum, the Oscar lineup omitted her.
Tang Wei
In ‘Decision to Leave’ she delivered a mesmerizing study in ambiguity that powered the film’s noir engine. She received a leading nomination from the British academy and won multiple regional critics’ awards. The film was a major international release with strong festival pedigree. The Academy did not recognize her work.
Zhang Ziyi
Her acclaimed turns in ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ and ‘2046’ brought global attention to her range and star power. She earned international nominations and critics’ citations across both titles. These films were widely honored in other categories and festivals. She never received an acting nomination from the Academy for these performances.
Gong Li
A longtime standard-bearer of world cinema, she gave landmark performances in ‘Raise the Red Lantern’ and ‘Farewell My Concubine’. Both films gained significant international honors and Academy attention in other categories. Her work helped define an era of global art-house success. She remains without an Oscar nomination despite decades of influence.
Michelle Yeoh
Before her historic win for ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’, she was overlooked for ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’. That film was a worldwide phenomenon and earned multiple Oscar nominations across major fields. Her performance combined action mastery with richly felt dramatic stakes. The acting branch did not include her that year.
Tessa Thompson
Her layered lead in ‘Passing’ drew praise for its controlled intensity and interplay with her co-star. The film earned strong adaptation and craft attention on the awards circuit. She appeared in several critics’ groups ballots and Independent Spirit conversations. An Oscar nod did not arrive for her performance.
Angela Bassett
Her supporting turn in ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ earned major critics’ prizes and wins from prominent regional groups. She collected nominations from televised precursors and a key industry guild. The film was a global hit that kept her performance at the center of awards coverage. She did not win the Oscar despite entering the night as a perceived frontrunner.
Jennifer Lopez
Her lead work in ‘Hustlers’ landed widespread critics’ awards and high profile nominations at major ceremonies. The performance was cited for elevating a commercially successful film that broke through with adult audiences. She appeared on numerous top ten lists and was a frequent winner at regional critics circles. She missed an Oscar nomination despite the season long momentum.
America Ferrera
Her supporting role in ‘Barbie’ became the film’s talker with a widely discussed monologue that drove social media conversation. She received nominations from significant industry bodies and earned recognition from critics groups. The movie dominated the box office and featured heavily across awards shortlists. She did not land an Oscar nomination.
Thuso Mbedu
Her performance in ‘The Woman King’ drew acclaim for physical commitment and dramatic presence. She was highlighted by critics associations focused on breakthrough talent. The film found strong box office support for an original historical action drama. She was overlooked by the Academy despite broad critical notice.
Teyana Taylor
Her lead performance in ‘A Thousand and One’ won the top jury prize at a major American festival through the film’s success. She received breakthrough and lead actress citations from critics organizations. The movie sustained attention during its platform release and awards screenings. She did not receive an Oscar nomination.
Kiki Layne
Her breakthrough in ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ won praise for anchoring the film’s emotional core. She was recognized by critics groups and organizations honoring new talent. The film earned multiple Academy nominations in other categories. She did not receive individual Oscar recognition.
Dominique Fishback
Her supporting performance in ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ drew strong reviews and several regional critics awards. The film earned major nominations and wins across the season and performed well with guilds. Her work was frequently cited in ensemble discussions. She did not get a personal Oscar nomination.
Carmen Ejogo
Her work in ‘Selma’ was central to the film’s portrait of leadership and home life. She earned supporting citations from critics associations and was part of an ensemble honored by industry groups. The film received Academy recognition in top categories including Best Picture. She did not secure an individual acting nomination.
Sanaa Lathan
Her lead turn in ‘Love and Basketball’ became a long term favorite on streaming and cable reappraisals. She won awards at festivals and from organizations spotlighting emerging performers. The film developed a strong legacy in sports romance rankings and academic discussions of representation. The Oscars did not recognize her performance.
Maggie Cheung
Her collaboration on ‘In the Mood for Love’ earned major international prizes and enduring critical acclaim. She won best actress honors at prestigious European ceremonies and dominated year end critics polls. The film became a cornerstone of global cinema lists and restoration programs. She never received an Oscar nomination for that work.
Rinko Kikuchi
Her supporting role in ‘Babel’ earned worldwide attention and key nominations across major awards bodies. She collected wins from critics groups and stood out in an internationally cast ensemble. The film earned several Academy nominations in top fields. She did not win the Oscar despite the broad recognition.
Shohreh Aghdashloo
Her performance in ‘House of Sand and Fog’ was acknowledged with high profile nominations and critics awards. She was central to the film’s reception and remained a standout in season roundups. The movie earned Academy attention in multiple categories. She did not win on Oscar night.
Marianne Jean-Baptiste
Her lead work in ‘Secrets and Lies’ brought an international spotlight with major nominations at British and American ceremonies. She drew multiple critics’ awards and strong festival reception. The film was widely honored and maintained visibility through the awards calendar. She did not win the Oscar despite the acclaim.
Naomie Harris
Her supporting performance in ‘Moonlight’ was recognized by key precursors and guilds. She filmed her role in a compressed schedule and earned extensive press for the transformation. The movie won Best Picture and performed strongly across categories. She did not win the Oscar in her category.
Cynthia Erivo
Her lead turn in ‘Harriet’ secured top nominations throughout the season including guild recognition. She also contributed an original song that earned separate awards attention. The film received Academy nominations in acting and music fields. She did not win either category.
Yalitza Aparicio
Her lead performance in ‘Roma’ made history for indigenous representation in the acting races. She earned nominations from major awards bodies and featured in international press. The film led the field with multiple Academy nominations and high profile wins. She did not win the acting Oscar.
Ruth Negga
Her lead work in ‘Loving’ earned significant nominations at British and American ceremonies. She appeared in critics group ballots and year end lists focused on biographical drama. The film maintained steady awards visibility through screeners and guild events. She did not win the Oscar.
Stephanie Hsu
Her supporting role in ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ garnered major nominations including a televised precursor. She won several critics’ awards and shared ensemble recognition with her cast. The film swept multiple top categories at the Academy Awards. She did not win in her category.
Janelle Monáe
Her performances in ‘Moonlight’ and ‘Hidden Figures’ put her in two Best Picture nominees in the same season. She received ensemble recognition from guilds and critics associations. Both films earned substantial Academy attention across categories. She did not receive an individual acting nomination.
Letitia Wright
Her lead role in ‘The Silent Twins’ drew festival attention and critics’ citations for a dual character portrayal. She was also central to awards conversation through ‘Black Panther’ and related franchise visibility. The film’s release strategy included specialty platforming and Q and A screenings. She did not break into the Oscar lineup.
Gugu Mbatha-Raw
She garnered raves for ‘Beyond the Lights’, a star-making turn that blended musical performance with intimate character work. The role scored Independent Spirit and Gotham attention and won multiple industry awards focused on emerging talent. The film became a word-of-mouth favorite on streaming and cable. The Academy did not extend a nomination.
Awkwafina
She won a lead Golden Globe for ‘The Farewell’, a milestone for an Asian American actress in that category. The performance was central to the film’s critical success and audience acclaim. It was a frequent presence on year-end lists and awards ballots. She was ultimately left out of the Oscar race.
Jodie Turner-Smith
Her breakout lead in ‘Queen & Slim’ combined vulnerability with a steady, thoughtful presence. She earned rising-star recognition and appeared in multiple critics’ citations. The film’s craft and soundtrack drew awards attention across the season. An Academy nomination did not follow for her work.
Sônia Braga
Her towering lead in ‘Aquarius’ was widely praised after its Cannes premiere. She won numerous international honors and critics’ awards for the role. The film’s awards path was complicated when it was not selected as Brazil’s submission. Despite the acclaim, she received no Oscar nod.
Regina Hall
She took top honors from the New York Film Critics Circle for ‘Support the Girls’, a rare critics’ sweep for a workplace comedy. The performance also earned Independent Spirit recognition and broadened her dramatic reputation. The film found a second life on streaming and curated lists. The Oscars did not acknowledge her contribution.
Park So-dam
Her scene-stealing turn in ‘Parasite’ helped shape the film’s rhythm and wit. The ensemble won major guild recognition and the film swept top categories at the Academy Awards. Despite that dominance, no individual acting nominations were given to the cast. Her work remained celebrated without a personal nod.
Lily Gladstone
Her lead performance in ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ made history with a nomination as a Native American woman. She won major critics’ prizes and a significant televised award, signaling strong support. The film received broad Academy recognition across multiple categories. She ultimately did not win on Oscar night.
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor
In ‘Origin’ she carried a complex narrative that blended biography with investigative drama. The film drew critical admiration for its ambition and her centered performance. She received tributes and independent awards recognition throughout the season. The Academy did not nominate her in a competitive category.
Salma Hayek
Her work in ‘Beatriz at Dinner’ earned Independent Spirit acknowledgment and renewed attention to her dramatic range. The film sparked cultural discussions that kept it in awards conversations. She did press and guild screenings that built momentum among voters. The campaign did not translate into an Oscar nomination.
Taraji P. Henson
As the lead of ‘Hidden Figures’ she anchored a hit that earned a Best Picture nomination and an ensemble win at a major guild. Her performance was cited by critics groups and industry awards. The film’s co-stars received Academy attention in supporting categories. She was notably absent from the Best Actress lineup.
Share your picks and the performances you think were overlooked in the comments.