Singer Andra Day made history at the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday (February 28), becoming the second Black woman ever to win the award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama.
The “Rise Up” songstress made her acting debut starring as the late jazz legend Billie Holiday in The United States vs. Billie Holiday, directed by Lee Daniels.
The first Black woman to win this award was Whoopi Goldberg for her role in the 1985 classic film The Color Purple.
During Andra Day’s acceptance speech, she thanked God and her family, along with her cast mates and crew of the film, as well as the other nominees in the category.
She also thanked “the amazing, transformative, dynamic Billie Holiday, who just transformed me with this role and with her presence and with her spirit.”
The film was adapted from a script by playwright Suzan-Lori Parks and follows the singer through years-long surveillance by the federal government. Government agents used her struggle with addiction to legitimize its war on drugs policy agenda. The 1972 film Lady Sings the Blues also followed Billie Holiday’s life, and starred Diana Ross.
The United States vs. Billie Holiday is currently available for streaming on Hulu.
Viola Davis was also nominated for the award for her performance in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.
Photos: Getty Images