Danielle Brooks talked about “patience in the journey” at the 2024 Oscars

Danielle Brooks wants fans to know that good things come to those that wait.

Brooks graduated from Juilliard in 2011 and starred in several projects, including “Orange Is the New Black” and “Master of None,” before receiving her first Oscar nomination this 12 months for the musical adaptation of “The Color Purple.”

“(My biggest lesson) was patience in the journey,” she said at the Dolby Theater. “I’ve said it before and it really resonates with me. It’s like God promised you something, take your time. The success of this promise will come; just be patient. And that is what I did here. And I got a nomination – my first.

Even though Brooks didn’t take home an Oscar (Da’Vine Joy Randolph won the award for her role in “The Holdovers”), she was still excited to be in the audience and receive the love and recognition she so rightly deserves.

The star went on to speak about her godmother, Anna Edge admits that she began her acting profession. Brooks was just 15 years old when Edge died after a battle with cancer. That same 12 months, she saw “The Color Purple” on Broadway, based on a speech she gave at the AAFCA Awards in February. As she prepared to go to Juilliard, she discovered that Edge had left her $20,000 in his will – barely enough for Brooks to pay for her first semester at the elite performing arts university.

“I think she would shake my hands,” the “Close Enough” actress said when asked how her godmother would react to seeing her now. “She was really short. She squeezed my hands, looked at me and said, “I’m so proud of you.” I’m so pleased with you.’ And I believe he’s saying it now, looking down.

Brooks has no intention of slowing down after her first Oscar nomination. He will next star alongside Jason Momoa in the adventure film “Minecraft.”