On one of the most memorable nights of awards season, Michael B. Jordan won the award for Best Actor at the 2016 Academy Awards ceremony, held this Sunday. Jordan moved everyone with his acceptance speech, thanking the Black artists who came before him. Jordan, who surprised critics and audiences with a dual role in the acclaimed vampire film "Sinners," playing twins Smoke and Stack, managed to beat the favorite, Timothee Chalamet, in the final stretch.

The actor, directed by his frequent collaborator Ryan Coogler, took home the gold in a category that also included heavyweights like Leonardo DiCaprio (“One Battle After Another”), Ethan Hawke (“Blue Moon”), and Wagner Moura (“The Secret Agent”).

Although Chalamet was considered the favorite after his Golden Globe win, Jordan's triumph at the Actors Awards (a precursor to the Oscars) had already raised eyebrows, suggesting that the Academy's vote might lean toward the Sinners star.

A Speech to Remember

Visibly emotional and holding the statuette for the first time, Jordan dedicated a heartfelt speech to his family. “God is good. God is good. “Yes, Mom, how are you?” he exclaimed, looking at his mother, Donna Jordan, who was seated beside him. He then greeted his father, Michael A. Jordan, who traveled from Ghana to witness the historic moment. The actor didn't forget his roots or those who paved the way. He thanked his team, from Coogler to his co-stars Wunmi Mosaku and Delroy Lindo, and had words of reverence for the legends who inspired him. "To the people who came before me. Sidney Poitier and Denzel Washington are among those giants, among those greats, among my ancestors," he stated. He also mentioned Will Smith, and it's important to note that he is the seventh Black actor to win in this category. "Thank you to everyone here and to everyone who has supported me from home throughout my career. I'm so sorry," Jordan concluded.

About Sinners

Jordan's triumph not only represents a personal milestone, but also an endorsement of the horror genre, often overlooked by the Academy.

Set in the American South during Prohibition, the film follows twin brothers who return to their hometown to open a speakeasy, unaware that their nighttime business will unleash chaos by attracting the attention of a horde of vampires led by the bloodthirsty Remmick (Jack O'Connell).

Critics praised the film, especially a hallucinogenic sequence featuring ancient ghosts and the performance of young Miles Caton. Thanks to this momentum, “Sinners” had already made history by becoming the film with the most Oscar nominations in history, accumulating a total of 16 nominations.