Ruth E Carter Creates Oscars History With Record-Breaking Nomination
Acclaimed costume designer Ruth E Carter has made Academy Awards history by becoming the most-nominated Black woman across all categories with her latest Oscar nod. Her nomination for the horror film Sinners marks her fifth career Academy Award recognition, surpassing actress Viola Davis's previous record.
A Career-Defining Achievement
Carter's nomination for her work on Ryan Coogler's blues-infused vampire epic Sinners represents a significant milestone in her distinguished career. The film itself achieved an impressive 16 nominations overall, setting the stage for Carter's personal achievement. This latest recognition places her alongside long-time collaborator Spike Lee and actor Morgan Freeman as one of the three most-nominated Black creatives in Oscars history.
Reflecting on this historic moment, Carter told The Associated Press: "It's ... pride, gratitude, responsibility." She added, "This is a major step in the development of our voices in Hollywood."
Trailblazing Legacy and Previous Accolades
Carter's career has been defined by groundbreaking achievements:
- She became the first Black woman to win multiple Academy Awards for costume design
- Her previous Oscar wins came for Black Panther (2018) and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2023)
- Prior nominations include Spike Lee's Malcolm X and Steven Spielberg's Amistad
- Her acclaimed period ensembles have featured in films including The Butler, Selma, and the Roots reboot
Carter explained her artistic philosophy: "My trajectory has been about telling the story of culture. Our history is being erased as we speak. So to have this responsibility of telling our stories — and being as authentic as I can — and being awarded for it, is a celebration."
Authentic Storytelling Through Costume Design
For Sinners, set in the Jim Crow-era Mississippi Delta, Carter approached costume design with particular sensitivity. She viewed her work as an act of protection rather than embellishment, determined to safeguard the visual truth of Black working-class life during the early 20th century.
"We made something out of nothing," Carter stated about her approach to the film's costumes. "There were hand-me-downs. There were patches. If the pants were long, we turned them up. If the hem was crooked, we left it. We wanted to show how we took things for what they were and still found a way to celebrate."
Enduring Presence in Hollywood
This latest nomination represents another successful collaboration with director Ryan Coogler, whom Carter credits as a vital voice for the future of Black cinema. "I thank the Lord that Ryan Coogler was born," she remarked with a laugh. "Because he continues to tell stories that are important to the culture."
Carter believes her continued recognition underscores her enduring presence in an industry often defined by constant reinvention. "I was the first to be nominated. I was the first to win. And I'm still in the game," she affirmed. "If my being here tells young designers anything, I hope it's that this isn't a fluke. It's hard work. It's voice. It's vision. And it's staying."
The designer's work has dressed numerous Hollywood icons throughout her career, including Denzel Washington, Oprah Winfrey, Eddie Murphy, and Jerry Seinfeld, with her contributions extending back to the original Seinfeld pilot. As the 2026 Oscars approach, Carter's historic nomination stands as both a personal achievement and a significant moment for representation in the film industry.
