From Anita to Calypso: How Ariana DeBose Is Using Her Shadow Self to Rewrite Hollywood’s Playbook
When Hattie McDaniel made history in 1940 as the first Black woman to win an Oscar, her victory highlighted the glaring inequities in Hollywood. McDaniel hoped her award would “move back the walls” and create space for others. Yet, progress has been painstakingly slow. In 1962, Rita Moreno became the first Latina to win an Academy Award for West Side Story, but her experience reflected much of the same struggles—roles were scarce, stereotypes pervasive, and barriers insurmountable. Back then, the idea of an Afro-Latina like Ariana DeBose one day challenging Hollywood’s imbalanced representation seemed nothing short of a far-fetched fantasy.
Representation for women of color has long been an uphill battle. As historian Elvera L. Vilson documented, Black actresses in early Hollywood were often reduced to roles as maids or sultry sirens. Latinas faced similar treatment, cast as “exotic” women who could also pass as white. Even Moreno, as Anita, was forced into dark brown makeup, while Natalie Wood, a white actress, portrayed Maria.
Despite decades of advocacy, Hollywood remains a challenging space. According to the Geena Davis Institute, Black women represented only 3.7% of leads in top-grossing films between 2009 and 2019. Latinas fared no better. A study by the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative revealed that only 75 Latino actors held lead roles across 16 years, and just five of those were women over 45.
Enter Ariana DeBose—a woman whose career represents a glimmer of progress in a system still grappling with change.
Ariana DeBose: A Multifaceted Trailblazer
Ariana DeBose has carved her path in an industry that rarely makes room for Afro-Latina, queer women. Born in Wilmington, North Carolina, to a Puerto Rican father and a white mother, DeBose’s intersectional identity has shaped her career. She started dancing at an early age, training at CC & Co. Dance Complex in Raleigh. Her breakthrough came in the sixth season of So You Think You Can Dance, where she reached the Top 20.
From there, she transitioned to Broadway, performing in musicals like Bring It On, Pippin, and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton. DeBose’s role as “The Bullet” in Hamilton made her a standout even within an ensemble cast. But her performance as Anita in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story catapulted her into the spotlight.
DeBose’s portrayal of Anita garnered widespread critical acclaim. The BBC called her performance “layered” and “dynamic,” with her energy bringing a new dimension to the character. Critics at Rolling Stone noted her ability to light up every scene, calling her a “Most Valuable Player.” Her Oscar win for Best Supporting Actress not only marked her as the first Afro-Latina and openly queer woman of color to win the award but also added her name to an elite group of actors who won Oscars for portraying the same role—following in the footsteps of Rita Moreno.
Ariana DeBose Steps into Calypso’s Shoes
DeBose’s latest role as Calypso in Kraven the Hunter underscores her commitment to redefining representation in Hollywood. Calypso, a complex character rooted in mysticism and voodoo, offered DeBose an opportunity to explore layers rarely afforded to women of color in superhero films.
Speaking to me about the role, DeBose shared how she prepared to embody the character. “I did a bit of a deep dive into how she’d been presented throughout the comics. She’s had many looks, but the common thread I saw was anger and fire,” she explained. “My question became, where does that come from?”
Calypso’s journey, as depicted in the film, is not a direct retelling of her comic book origins. Instead, director J.C. Chandor encouraged DeBose to craft an origin story that was uniquely hers. “Calypso is on her own version of an origin story when you meet her in the film,” DeBose revealed. “It’s a journey you’ll have to see to fully understand.”
Challenging Stereotypes of Women of Color in Superhero Films
Superhero films have long faced criticism for their gender and racial disparities. Women of color, in particular, have often been relegated to secondary roles or sidelined entirely. As Ariana DeBose steps into the role of Calypso in Kraven the Hunter, she aims to challenge these tropes and expand the narrative possibilities for women like her.
“For me, creating a character that had strong legs—she could stand on her own two feet—was essential,” DeBose shared. In the male-dominated superhero genre, her commitment to portraying Calypso as a multifaceted, intelligent, and commanding figure is significant. “The partnership [between Calypso and Kraven] that you observe isn’t about romance,” she emphasized, breaking away from a common trope that often confines female characters to love interests.
“I don’t think relationships between men and women on screen, especially women of color, have to always be derived from a romantic space,” she continued. “So, I did my best within what I could do to present her as a woman of many talents, with a fierce intellect and a willingness to speak up.”
This is particularly important in the context of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and superhero media as a whole, where gender roles have been historically rigid. According to Carolyn Cocca in Superwomen: Gender, Power, and Representation, female superheroes are often depicted as “conventionally attractive, strong, and capable” but remain confined to narratives that focus on their gender rather than their character.
The Issue Extends Beyond Characterization to Representation
The MCU has faced persistent criticism for its lack of gender parity. Despite its global influence, female characters have often been outnumbered and overshadowed by their male counterparts. Victoria Alonso, Marvel’s Production Chief, has acknowledged the systemic barriers, noting that even behind the camera, production spaces remain dominated by men.
This disparity has real-world implications. Pop culture profoundly influences identity formation, especially for younger audiences. Studies like those from the Geena Davis Institute and the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative reveal that underrepresentation in media perpetuates harmful stereotypes and limits societal perceptions of leadership, strength, and capability.
DeBose’s portrayal of Calypso resists these trends. Rooted in her identity as an Afro-Latina, she brings authenticity and depth to a character that might otherwise have been reduced to a stereotype.
As Kraven the Hunter reimagines Calypso’s story, it provides an opportunity to move away from harmful constructs. Dr. Brenna Clarke Gray highlights the importance of rejecting traditional gendered stereotypes in superhero media, noting that women must be portrayed as equally complex and capable as their male counterparts.
DeBose’s role as Calypso is more than just another superhero portrayal. It’s a step toward dismantling the systemic inequities in Hollywood’s storytelling. “Your strength is an asset. Your vulnerability is your power. All of the things that make you who you are—embracing your shadow self—that’s your point of power,” DeBose told FIERCE, articulating the message she hopes Calypso sends to viewers, especially young Latinas.
Redefining What It Means to Lead
Being the lead woman on a predominantly male set is not without its challenges. DeBose acknowledged this dynamic while expressing gratitude for a team willing to collaborate.
“I think I was very lucky and grateful to be working with a group who did have the capacity to listen. Because this is a male-dominated film,” she acknowledged. “That is not always the case in male-dominated movie-making. There will always be challenges no matter what set you walk on and how you communicate, especially if you are ‘one of one’ in regards to females on a set.”
“So, I tried to take great care while I was making this movie to be very clear with my communication,” she explained. “I looked around on set to make sure that the women behind the scenes felt supported and heard. Because it’s not just about making sure that I, as the actress, [was being heard], but also those women need to be heard as well.”
“If it means I have to move the bathroom potties from a mile away to closer to set, I will ask the questions to make that happen,” she said.
Calypso and the Power of Motives
For Ariana DeBose, Calypso’s story is about more than just mysticism or action—it’s about understanding motives. “Calypso is a lot about exploring one’s motives,” she explained. This introspection, she believes, can resonate with viewers, particularly young Latinas.
“I think it’s very important for all of us, but specifically for women of color, to examine why we do what we do. That self-work helps ensure we’re moving with intent,” she said. DeBose’s hope is that Calypso inspires viewers to embrace their complexity.
Furthermore, as a queer Afro-Latina, DeBose’s success carries a profound message for underrepresented communities. When asked what she hopes Calypso conveys to young Latinas, she didn’t hesitate.
“Your strength is your asset. Your vulnerability is your power. All the things that make you who you are—embracing your shadow self—that’s your point of power,” she said passionately. For DeBose, representation isn’t just about visibility; it’s about empowering audiences to see their full selves reflected on screen.
Ariana DeBose: A New Kind of Hero
DeBose’s career—from her Oscar-winning turn as Anita in West Side Story to her upcoming role as Calypso—reflects the long journey of women of color in Hollywood. Her story is one of resilience, advocacy, and progress.
As she put it, “Your dark sides inform your light.” With every role, Ariana DeBose not only shines but also expands the possibilities for what women of color can achieve in Hollywood.
