• Oscars badge

Da'Vine Joy Randolph's Oscars Speech Was Both Powerful And Hilarious — Here's What She Said

"I've always wanted to be different, but now I realize that I just need to be myself. Thank you for seeing me.”

Mychal Thompson
by Mychal Thompson

BuzzFeed Staff

Hot Topic
🔥 Full coverage and conversation on the Oscars 2024

Da'Vine Joy Randolph has swept awards season and stolen our hearts with her Oscars acceptance speech.

Closeup of Da'Vine Joy Randolph
John Shearer / WireImage

At the 2024 Academy Awards, one of the first winners to take the stage was Da'Vine for Best Supporting Actress for her groundbreaking role in The Holdovers.

Da'Vine ascending the stage to accept her Oscar
Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Moments before her name was announced, Lupita Nyong'o (who won Best Supporting Actress for 12 Years a Slave) praised Da'Vine, and it was a certified tear-jerker moment.

Da’Vine Joy Randolph tearing up while Lupita Nyong’o praises her on the Oscars stage…I need a moment pic.twitter.com/GnLL3Eg99o

— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) March 10, 2024
ABC/Twitter: @SpencerAlthouse
“Your performance is tribute to those who have helped others heal in spite of their own pain,” Lupita said before adding the film was also connected to Da'Vine's family. “Your performance is…also in tribute to your grandmother whose glasses you wore in the film."

Hot Topic
The Oscars have finally arrived! Keep up with the losers, winners, and best dressed celebs right here.
Check out our Oscars coverage

When Da'Vine finally took the stage to accept her award, nobody could predict how moving her speech would be. "I didn’t think I was supposed to be doing this as a career,” she said. “I thank my mother for doing that. I thank all the people who have been there for me, ushered me, and guided me."

Da'Vine Joy Randolph getting emotional as she accepts her Oscar
Rich Polk / Variety via Getty Images

"I prayed for so long… I've always wanted to be different, but now I realize that I just need to be myself. Thank you for seeing me.”

Da'Vine Joy Randolph accepting her Oscar
Kevin Winter / Getty Images

Da'Vine went on to thank a meaningful mentor, saying,  "When I was the only Black girl in that class, when you saw me and you told me I was enough, and when I told you I don't see myself...you said 'that's fine, we're gonna forge our own path. You're gonna lay a trail for yourself.'"

"When I was the only Black girl in that class, when you saw me and you told me I was enough, and when I told you I don't see myself...you said 'that's fine, we're gonna forge our own path. You're gonna lay a trail for yourself.'”

—Oscar-winner (!) Da'Vine Joy Randolph pic.twitter.com/FZXfu88GGS

— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) March 10, 2024
Twitter: @SpencerAlthouse

But the moment that stole the night and set a hilarious trend for following acceptance speeches happened when Da'Vine thanked her publicist. “I have to give a special shoutout to my publicist. I know you said, ‘Don’t say anything about your publicist!’ — but you don’t have a publicist like mine,” causing the crowd to break out in laughter.

Closeup of Da'Vine Joy Randolph accepting her Oscar
Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images

“I’m forever grateful.”

Da'Vine posing with her Oscar, wearing a sparkling dress with feathered sleeves
Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic

Da'Vine's awards sweep was well-deserved because even her heartfelt acceptance speech immediately received praise from fans.

Twitter: @sinamonies

Finally us publicists are SEEN. Thank you Da’Vine #Oscars pic.twitter.com/9dzDp9n1hD

— RightOnTopOfThatROSE (@SueEllenCrandal) March 10, 2024
Twitter: @SueEllenCrandal

For those wondering Da'Vine Joy Randolph’s publicist is the amazing Marla Farrell at Shelter PR. #Oscars

— Johanna Fuentes (@jfuentes) March 10, 2024
Twitter: @jfuentes

Da’Vine shouting out her publicist is the dream really. In case ya’ll didn’t know, we are often the hardest working people in the biz 💁‍♀️ #Oscar #ifyoudisagreeyoudonthaveaclue

— Alex (@booshkla) March 10, 2024
Twitter: @booshkla

Twitter: @LeeLovesBey

Twitter: @mattxctrl

Publicists right now after Da'Vine Joy Randolph’s speech. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/RoBYUqSW9G

— Juan Lozano (@juanlozano70) March 10, 2024
Twitter: @juanlozano70

DA’VINE JOY RANDOLPH SWEEP COMPLETE #Oscars pic.twitter.com/WpzUjrUSqU

— Zoë Rose Bryant (@ZoeRoseBryant) March 10, 2024
Twitter: @ZoeRoseBryant

Congratulations on congratulations, Da'Vine!

Check out the rest of our Oscars coverage here.

Hot Topic
🔥 Full coverage and conversation on the Oscars 2024
We see you lurking 👀
Join an Oscars conversation instead.
See the Discussions