Viola Davis made history when the 2021 Oscar nominations were announced on Monday.
The actress received a best actress nomination for "Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom," which marked her fourth Oscar nomination. With her 2021 nod for playing Ma Rainey in the George C. Wolfe-directed drama, Davis is now the most-nominated Black actress in Oscars history.
Davis was previously tied with Octavia Spencer, who has three Academy Award nominations to her name.
MORE: 2021 Oscar nominations: See the full listThe history making moments for Black women continue.
— Strong Black Lead (@strongblacklead) March 15, 2021
Viola Davis, Best Actress nominee for MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM, just made Oscar® history with her 4th nomination.
She is now the most-nominated Black actress EVER, and the only Black woman with two Best Actress nominations. pic.twitter.com/gVWMoDSkU9
Davis' other Academy Award nominations include best supporting actress for "Doubt," best actress for "The Help" and best supporting actress for "Fences."
She won her first Oscar for playing Rose Maxson in "Fences" in 2017.
MORE: Chadwick Boseman earns posthumous Oscar nominationThe actress celebrated her "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" nod and the film's total five nominations with an Instagram post. "Absolutely thrilled!!" she wrote. "Congratulations to the whole @MaRaineyFilm team! Deserved! 💛"
Davis will compete in the best actress category at the 2021 Academy Awards alongside Andra Day ("The United States vs. Billie Holiday"), Vanessa Kirby ("Pieces of a Woman"), Frances McDormand ("Nomadland") and Carey Mulligan ("Promising Young Woman.")
The actress spoke to Variety last month about the idea of becoming the most-nominated Black actress in Oscars history, saying the accomplishment signifies how much more progress needs to be made.
"For me, it’s a reflection of the lack of opportunities and access to opportunities people of color have had in this business," she told the outlet. "If me, going back to the Oscars four times in 2021, makes me the most nominated Black actress in history, that’s a testament to the sheer lack of material there has been out there for artists of color."
MORE: 2021 Oscars nominations: How stars are reactingCheck out the full list of nominations for the 93rd Academy Awards here.
