On Sunday, Michael B Jordon took home his first Oscar for best actor for his performance in Sinners, helmed by Ryan Coogler. When Adrien Brody, who won the same award last year, announced Jordan's award, he was surprised, following which he hugged his mother before walking on to the stage.

Sinners is not Jordan's first collaboration with Coogler. The two have previously worked together on Fruitvale Station, Creed, Black Panther, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Addressing his frequent collaborator, Jordan said, "I'm so honoured to call you a collaborator and a friend. You gave me the opportunity and space for me to be seen, and I love you to death.”

The actor then gave a shout-out to fellow Black actors by saying, "I stand here because of the people that came before me: Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Jamie Foxx, Forest Whitaker and Will Smith. To be amongst those giants, amongst those giants, amongst those greats, amongst my ancestors, amongst my guys. Thank you to everybody in this room and everybody at home for supporting me over my career. I feel it.”

Lastly, he thanked the audience. “Everybody at home who supported Sinners, who went to go see the movie one, two, three, four, or five times: thank you, because you guys made this movie what it is. I love you,” Jordan concluded.

This not only marked his first win but also his first Academy Award nomination. He was nominated alongside Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme), Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon) and Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent).

In Sinners, Jordan played twin brothers, Smoke and Stack. The film won four Oscars out of the record-breaking 16 nominations it had received. Apart from Best Actor, it also won Best Cinematography, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Score.