Tonight, King Richard star Aunjanue Ellis will be honored alongside Hollywood’s biggest and brightest stars at the 94th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, California. Ellis may be a new face to some, but she’s built up a lengthy resumé that extends far beyond one role in one film. In fact, she’s appeared in series like Lovecraft Country and When They See Us along with films like Ray and If Beale Street Could Talk. While her talent and experience precedes her, she had to fight to get the role of Oracene Price in King Richard. During a recent interview with People, the Academy Award nominee explained that producers of the film may have been looking to cast a more widely known star before she blew them away with her audition and persistence.
“I knew that they were interested and were going to pursue some other actors who are a lot more famous than I am, I’ll just put it like that,” Ellis explained.
“I wanted this part when I read it… But when I found out that they were thinking about other people, it didn’t worry me too much because I felt like, ‘I’m going to have a shot at this’.”
Thankfully, Ellis was selected to play the role and she surpassed expectations. She’s earned nominations at Golden Globe Awards, Critics’ Choice Movie Awards, Black Reel Awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards for her performance in King Richard. Now, she’ll see if she can claim the title of “Best Actress in a Supporting Role” at the 94th Academy Awards.
