For actor-singer-dancer Ariana DeBose, a groundbreaking Oscar was just the beginning. Now the 31-year-old is working to carve out a life that’s truly her own—by setting boundaries, maintaining a harmonious mindset, and moving her body in ways that bring joy. In the cover story of Women’s Health’s January/February 2023 issue—The Beginners Issue—DeBose opens up about her year of firsts, getting honest about how it feels to break barriers and deal with the pressure to stay on top of her game. Plus in her Women’s Health “Body Scan” cover video, DeBose takes a deep dive on her body history discussing her skincare , shares the meaning behind her tattoos, reveals the workout routine that built her confidence and much more.
On becoming the first openly queer actor of color to win an Academy Award for acting: “The moment was important to me and became very important to many communities, and I’m grateful for everything that has transpired, but it was a pressure cooker. I felt that every day, and now even in the aftermath, I still feel it.”
On how realizing her dream of earning an Oscar left her feeling unsettled: “My greatest fear was that I’ve become a poster child for all the big things that I represent, and that people would be like, ‘Okay, great, you have this Oscar. Can you please go away now? Let’s move on. This is a blip. I show up every day for work to prove them wrong.”
On being in a “period of rebirth” as she plots her future moves: “It’s challenging. There are days where I feel like I’m failing at life, which is interesting because there are people who look at my life and think, She’s got it made. And in a sense, I do, and I’m so grateful. But there’s the other human side that is dealing with the consequence of what it is to have made it, and it’s not always comfortable. But I’m growing and learning, and I’m in a period of rebirth, and with rebirth comes transition.”
On releasing shifty energy—cutting ties with folks who’ve shown a different side of themselves after she claimed her award: “Friendships have morphed. It’s fascinating to see people want something different from you, like different access. I think people come into your life seasonally, and some seasons have come to a close. It’s a tough journey, but I believe in healthy boundaries. All of it is making me a better person, and a better artist.”
On how getting enough rest keeps her centered: “I can’t function if I haven’t slept properly. I believe in recharging.”
On her dedication to sustaining a solid physique: “For me, confidence starts within. So, if I don’t feel good in my body, I don’t feel good when I walk into a room. And, Boo, I don’t stumble anywhere! I have worked hard to look decent.”
The January/February issue—the Beginners Issue—hits newsstands nationwide on December 27.
[Photo Credit: Kimber Capriotti for Women’s Health Magazine]
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