Colman Domingo on achieving back-to-back Oscar nominations with ‘Sing Sing’: ‘I’m in some beautiful, rare company’
Colman Domingo entered exclusive territory with his Best Actor nomination for Sing Sing on Thursday. He is the first man since Denzel Washington to achieve back-to-back nominations, with Domingo’s previous bid coming last year for Rustin. Washington achieved the same feat in 2017-18 for Fences and Roman J. Israel, Esq., respectively.
“What the f–k? I’m in some beautiful, rare company, and I feel very appreciative,” Domingo tells Gold Derby. “For me it’s about being connected to a film that I care about so deeply. I’m glad Sing Sing is back out in theaters for everyone to view. But Rustin and Sing Sing, two films that I truly care so deeply about — their messages — especially today when we need these stories of inspiration and hope and triumph against adversity. We look to films to show us how to be in the world, to show us how to overcome something. How can we use our imagination? And here we are with a film like Sing Sing, so I feel incredibly honored especially to go back-to-back with these films.”
More from GoldDerby
Sing Sing earned three Oscar nominations, including Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Song (“Like a Bird”). Following a short stint in limited theaters last July, A24 relaunched the acclaimed film nationwide on Jan. 17.
“I think the lasting impact of Sing Sing is to make some real changes in the prison industrial complex where we have more opportunities for people to really get some healing,” he says. “Maybe we can re-examine new ways of making sure that people can find a new pathway into being on this planet. At Sing Sing, the impact of what art and theater has done for these inmates is extraordinary to the point where the numbers don’t lie. There’s a less than 3 percent recidivism rate there compared to 60 percent nationwide, so it tells you that it’s something that’s working. For me, I think it’s helping us all think about the kind of society we want to live in and we want to support, and we want to give people another pathway so when they come out, who do we want them to be? Who do you want your brother to be, your father to be, your sister? But we’ve got to give them tools.”
Colman says his recent roles in Rustin and Sing Sing have allowed him to find the true leader within himself. “I had to take on that leadership role in every single way,” he says. “Whether it was as a producer, as an actor — It’s the first film that I know for sure I can see my fingerprints on every frame in the film. My opinion is on everything. It told me that my voice really mattered, especially when someone says, ‘Please, we want all of you.’ That’s what Greg Kwedar, my director, invited me in with. He said ‘we want every part of you — the actor, director, writer, producer, thinker, healer, teacher.’ And so it taught me that I can be all of those things and it could be received as such.”
The actor says he’s excited to celebrate more than his own accomplishments at the 2025 Oscars. “I sent messages to people I care about deeply,” he reveals. “I sent my first message to Adrien Brody to tell him congratulations, and then I sent one to Demi Moore, and then I sent one to Cynthia Erivo. I still owe Mikey Madison one. I’m not someone who just sends texts, I’m a FaceTime or video person, or an audio person. I want you to hear what I feel about you. I’ve got to get through my rounds of people. [The Wild Robot composer and Best Score nominee] Kris Bowers, as well, so many friends who are nominated.”
“It’s funny, I just got her number because we share a publicist, but I’m looking forward to seeing Isabella Rossellini,” he continues. “She really is a legend and she’s just an incredible human — and what she does with so little screen time in Conclave is breathtaking and outstanding. I literally screamed when I heard her nomination. I was so happy for her. When I tell you she’s also just such a good human being who cares about the world, cares about farming and art and all the good things. She’s someone who I nerdily want to be her friend. I haven’t told her that exactly but I’m sure she can tell. I really want to be her friend. Root for me for that! Help me win that!”
The 2025 Oscars hosted by Conan O’Brien will air Mar. 2 on ABC and live-stream on Hulu.
Best of GoldDerby
Sign up for Gold Derby's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Solve the daily Crossword
