Oscar buzz is in the air, even here in Charm City, because Baltimore-born and -raised Tené Wilder has been nominated for a 2026 Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling as a key hairstylist on the record-breaking film “Sinners.”
Ryan Coogler’s acclaimed vampire movie “Sinners” made history by earning 16 Oscar nominations, including best picture, best actor, best original screenplay, best directing, and more. For Wilder, the recognition is humbling yet not new.
Wilder is an Emmy Award-winning hairstylist already, and her contribution to the visual storytelling in “Sinners” has also earned her nominations from the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the NAACP Image Awards.
SAG nominated Wilder for Best Period and/or Character Hair Styling for her work in “Sinners,” and she has been nominated for the 57th NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Hair Styling (TV or Film). The SAG Awards will air on Sunday, March 1 at 8 p.m. ET, and the 57th NAACP Image Awards will air on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 8 p.m. ET.
Wilder’s work on “Sinners,” set in the 1930s American South, was marked by emotion, history, and cultural authenticity. Her period-specific hairstyles for actors Wunmi Mosaku (Annie), Li Jun Li (Grace Chow), and Lola Kirke (Joan), used hair to help tell the story and advance character development, giving the actors a deeper anchor into their roles.
“I’ve been overwhelmed—in the most humbling way—by the response to this work,” Wilder said. “To be recognized by the Academy, the Guild, and the NAACP is something I don’t take lightly. I’m deeply grateful to the Sinners team, to the artists and performers who trusted me with their characters, and to the community that has supported me every step of the way. This moment is bigger than me—it’s about collaboration, culture, and honoring the stories we’re entrusted to tell.”
Wilder’s work on FX’s “Pose” earned her a 2021 Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Contemporary Hairstyling. Her portfolio has only grown since then as her styling reflects deep attention to character, culture, and emotional depth. Her credits also include “The Wire,” “The Dutchman,” and Netflix’s “His & Hers” miniseries.
The collection of accolades and nominations from the Academy, the Guild, and the NAACP highlight Wilder’s impact on film and television. Her Baltimore roots were just the beginning.
