Summary

Ariana DeBose is known for her spellbinding singing voice, but she wants to showcase her versatility in future projects. She doesn’t want to be “pigeonholed” and believes in pushing boundaries for herself and others. DeBose has won multiple awards and is set to star in upcoming films that will allow her to flex her acting muscles; implores fans to “keep an open mind, darlings.”

Ariana DeBose’s spellbinding, singing voice is undoubtedly the young actress’ calling card. Today, DeBose might be an Oscar-winning actress, but before being cast in Steven Spielberg’s 2021 reimagining of the Broadway show, West Side Story (1957), she was but one of the thousands who auditioned for the coveted role of Anita in the movie musical. However, DeBose’s ambitions eclipse solely being known for her voice. In an exclusive interview with MovieWeb, DeBose discussed working in more than simply musicals. The actress said:

“I think if anyone’s followed my career, and first of all, thank you to all the folks who seem to like me so far. I appreciate you, and it’s partially because of you all that I get to make movies. But I think if you know anything about me, that I’ve prided myself on versatility. And I’m a very versatile dancer and performer in theater work. And I don’t see any reason for that not to be the case in my on-screen work as well.”

Following on the heels of winning an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for West Side Story, DeBose shifted her emphasis to television in programs like Westworld, Bubble Guppies and Schmigadoon! before portraying the enchanting protagonist, Asha, in Wish. The animated Disney adventure turned out to be another project where her voice talents were heavily utilized. But upcoming films like I.S.S. and Kraven the Hunter will give DeBose the opportunity to flex her acting muscles.

Related: West Side Story’s Ariana DeBose Makes History with Best Supporting Actress Oscar Win

Ariana DeBose Won’t Be ‘Pigeonholed’
ABC

Before the Oscar-winning Ariana DeBose joins Marvel for the first time in Sony’s cinematic Spider-Verse this August, courtesy of Kraven the Hunter, she will try and survive the horrors of war in I.S.S. In the icy cold of space, no one can hear you sing, right? Regardless, I.S.S. is a film that allows DeBose to focus on her acting craft, rather than her musical talent this time around. And since DeBose doesn’t want to be “pigeonholed,” I.S.S. presents the perfect opportunity for the actress to show off her performing skills. DeBose said in the same MovieWeb exclusive:

“And so, I thought it was time. Like, I never believe in being pigeonholed, and especially as a woman of color in this industry — you cannot allow yourself to be put in a box. So, the way that I chose to try and combat that is to just show people I have more to offer. And I by no stretch of the mind think that everything I do is going to be an immediate slam dunk.”

DeBose added:

“But if I don’t try that, to me, I’m not holding the door open, right? So, I have to continue to hold the door open, not only for myself, but for other people coming up behind me. And this is part of that. So, I just ask people to keep an open mind, darlings.”

Anything seems possible for the versatile actress. In addition to winning an Academy Award, DeBose has also taken home a Golden Globe (West Side Story), a Screen Actors Guild Award (West Side Story), and she was nominated for a Tony award for her work in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical. I.S.S. opens in theaters on Friday, January 19. And fans can check out the trailer for DeBose’s next big-screen adventure below: