Ariana DeBose didn’t just win an Oscar—she shattered a glass ceiling while doing it. The actress, singer, and dancer went from a reality dance competition to earning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Anita in West Side Story. In this profile, we’ll walk through her career milestones, her ethnic background, and what we know about her personal life, including her relationship history and current status.
Born: January 25, 1991 ·
Place of birth: Wilmington, North Carolina, USA ·
Occupation: Actress, singer, dancer ·
Notable award: Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (2022) ·
Known for: West Side Story, Hamilton, The Prom ·
Height: 5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
Quick snapshot
- Won Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2022 (NBC News, national news outlet)
- Born in Wilmington, North Carolina (Wikipedia biography)
- Current relationship status as of 2025 is not publicly confirmed
- Whether she is currently dating anyone
- 2009: Competes on So You Think You Can Dance Season 6 (Wikipedia biography)
- 2022: Wins Oscar for West Side Story (NBC News, national news outlet)
- Upcoming role in Kraven the Hunter (post-production, 2023 announcement) (Wikipedia biography)
- Continued advocacy for LGBTQ+ and Afro-Latina representation (Wikipedia biography)
Eight key facts about Ariana DeBose, one pattern: her career is a steady climb from competitive dance to Hollywood’s highest honor.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Birth date | January 25, 1991 |
| Birth place | Wilmington, North Carolina, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Puerto Rican, Italian, African-American |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) |
| Occupation | Actress, singer, dancer |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Notable award | Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (2022) |
What is Ariana DeBose famous for?
West Side Story and Oscar win
- DeBose won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Anita in Steven Spielberg’s 2021 adaptation of West Side Story (ACLU, civil rights organization).
- The same performance earned her a BAFTA Award, a Critics’ Choice Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award (Wikipedia biography).
- She was also nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress (Wikipedia biography).
Her Oscar win was historic: she became the first openly queer Afro-Latina to win an Academy Award for acting (NBC News, national news outlet).
Hamilton and Broadway career
- She originated the role of Jane in the national tour of Hamilton from 2015 to 2016 (Wikipedia biography).
- DeBose was Tony-nominated for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Disco Donna in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical on Broadway (Illinois State University News, university publication).
Before Broadway, she appeared in the musical Bring It On: The Musical and built a reputation as a versatile stage performer.
Film and television roles
- She made her film debut in The Prom (2020) as Alyssa Greene (Wikipedia biography).
- She starred in the Apple TV+ series Schmigadoon! (2021) as Emma (BroadwayWorld, theater news source).
- Upcoming projects include Kraven the Hunter (post-production) and Wish (voice role) (Wikipedia biography).
The implication: DeBose has transitioned from Broadway to Hollywood with rare ease, landing major roles in both musicals and chamber dramas.
What ethnicity and nationality is Ariana DeBose?
Ethnic background
- DeBose has described herself as Afro-Latina (Illinois State University News, university publication).
- Her mother is Puerto Rican, and her father is of Italian and African-American descent (YouTube interview, 2022).
- In a 2022 Hispanic Heritage Month appearance, she said, “I am Hispanic. I am Puertorriqueña” (YouTube interview, 2022).
Nationality
- She is an American citizen, born in Wilmington, North Carolina (The News & Observer, North Carolina newspaper).
- Some outlets have mistakenly listed her hometown as Raleigh, but she was born in Wilmington (The News & Observer, North Carolina newspaper).
Why this matters: DeBose’s identity as an Afro-Latina woman is central to her public persona and the historical significance of her Oscar win.
Does Ariana DeBose have a partner?
Relationship history
- DeBose was previously in a relationship with costume designer Sue Makkoo, reportedly from 2017 to 2020 (The News & Observer, North Carolina newspaper).
- Wikipedia lists Makkoo as her partner from 2017 to 2023, though the end date is not confirmed by DeBose herself (Wikipedia biography).
Current relationship status
- DeBose is known to be private about her personal life (The News & Observer, North Carolina newspaper).
- As of 2025, she has not publicly confirmed a new partner.
- She has not been seen publicly with a romantic partner since her reported split from Makkoo.
The pattern: DeBose keeps her romantic life largely out of the spotlight, so any claims about her current partner should be treated as unconfirmed.
How did Ariana DeBose become so famous?
Early career on So You Think You Can Dance
- In 2009, she competed on Season 6 of the reality dance competition So You Think You Can Dance (Wikipedia biography).
- Although she didn’t win, the exposure led to her first stage roles.
Breakthrough in Hamilton
- She joined the national tour of Hamilton in 2015 as the character Jane, the same role she would later perform in the Chicago production (Wikipedia biography).
- This role brought her to the attention of Broadway producers and casting directors.
Mainstream success with West Side Story
- After her Tony-nominated turn in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical (Illinois State University News, university publication), she was cast as Anita in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story.
- The film premiered in 2021, and her performance earned her the Academy Award in 2022.
The trade-off: reality TV gave her a platform, but it was her stage work and the Spielberg film that turned her into a household name.
What are Ariana DeBose’s age, height, and key personal details?
Age and birth date
- Born on January 25, 1991, she is 34 years old as of 2025 (Wikipedia biography).
- The News & Observer noted she was 33 when she won the Oscar in 2022 (The News & Observer, North Carolina newspaper).
Height
- She stands 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) tall (Wikipedia biography).
Languages
- DeBose speaks English and Spanish (Illinois State University News, university publication).
The catch: while her height is standard, her bilingual ability is a less-publicized asset that deepens her connection to her Latina heritage.
Timeline
- January 25, 1991 – Born in Wilmington, North Carolina, USA (Wikipedia biography)
- 2009 – Competes on So You Think You Can Dance, Season 6 (Wikipedia biography)
- 2015–2016 – National tour of Hamilton as Jane (Wikipedia biography)
- 2018 – Originates role of Disco Donna in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical on Broadway (Illinois State University News, university publication)
- 2020 – Film debut in The Prom (Wikipedia biography)
- 2021 – Stars as Anita in West Side Story (ACLU, civil rights organization)
- 2022 – Wins Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (NBC News, national news outlet)
- 2023 – Stars in Kraven the Hunter (post-production) (Wikipedia biography)
For more on Latino actors, see Xolo Maridueña: Age, Height, Relationships, and Career. Also read about Cynthia Nixon: Biography, LGBTQ Identity, and Career.
Clarity: Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2022 (ACLU, civil rights organization)
- Of Puerto Rican, Italian, and African-American descent (YouTube interview, 2022)
- Born on January 25, 1991 in Wilmington, North Carolina (Wikipedia biography)
- Speaks both English and Spanish (Illinois State University News, university publication)
- Relationship with Sue Makkoo ended prior to 2021 (The News & Observer, North Carolina newspaper)
What’s unclear
- Current relationship status as of 2025 is not publicly confirmed
- Whether she is currently dating anyone
- Exact details of her family beyond parents
- Her precise net worth (not publicly disclosed)
- Whether she has any siblings
Quotes
“There is indeed a place for us.”
— Ariana DeBose, Oscar acceptance speech, March 2022, as quoted by the ACLU, civil rights organization
“I am Hispanic. I am Puertorriqueña.”
— Ariana DeBose, Hispanic Heritage Month appearance, 2022 (YouTube interview, 2022)
DeBose made history as the first Afro-Latina and first openly queer woman of color to win an Academy Award for acting.
— NBC News, national news outlet
For the young Afro-Latina performer watching from home, the choice is clear: chase the stage, embrace your identity, and let the work speak—because when the moment comes, the industry will have to make room.
unitedarts.org, screendollars.com, imdb.com, youtube.com, bbyo.org
Frequently asked questions
Does Ariana DeBose have any siblings?
DeBose has not publicly disclosed whether she has siblings. She is known to be private about her family beyond her parents.
What is Ariana DeBose’s net worth?
Her net worth is not publicly confirmed. Estimates vary, but as a Tony-nominated and Oscar-winning actress, she likely earns a substantial income from film, stage, and endorsements.
Did Ariana DeBose train at any dance school?
She trained at the CC & Co. Dance Complex in Raleigh, North Carolina, and later studied musical theater at the University of Michigan before leaving to pursue professional opportunities (Wikipedia biography).
Has Ariana DeBose won a Grammy?
No, she has not won a Grammy. She has won an Academy Award, a BAFTA, a Critics’ Choice Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award, but not a Grammy.
What upcoming projects does Ariana DeBose have?
She is set to appear in the film Kraven the Hunter (post-production, released 2024) and voiced a role in the animated film Wish (2023) (Wikipedia biography).
How old is Ariana DeBose?
She was born on January 25, 1991, making her 34 years old as of 2025.
What is Ariana DeBose’s height?
She is 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) tall.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Southern Focus, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.