Ryan Coogler's 2026 Oscars Braids Had a Hidden Detail

The filmmaker won his first Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 7:00am

When Ryan Coogler accepted his first Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for his film Sinners, eagle-eyed fans spotted a guitar design woven into his braided hairstyle. The braids were done by Coogler's go-to hairstylist, Tyzanna B, and the guitar design was a nod to the historical and musical themes of the film. Coogler thanked the Academy and his fellow nominees in his acceptance speech.

Why it matters

Coogler's award-winning hairstyle at the Oscars highlighted how he incorporates small, meaningful details into his artistry, from his filmmaking to his personal style. The guitar design in his braids connected to the themes of Black art and music celebrated in his film Sinners.

The details

While accepting his first Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, Coogler's sharp Oscars suit was anchored by a story told through his braids. Eagle-eyed fans spotted a guitar design woven into his stitched cornrows, which was likely a nod to the blues guitar and historical musical climate that Sinners was rooted in. The film celebrated the preservation and reverence of Black art, and Coogler's hairstyle was an extension of that.

  • Coogler won his first Oscar for Best Original Screenplay at the 2026 Academy Awards ceremony.

The players

Ryan Coogler

The filmmaker who won his first Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for his film Sinners.

Tyzanna B

Coogler's go-to hairstylist who created the braided hairstyle with the guitar design for the Oscars.

Michael B. Jordan

The actor who won his first Oscar for Best Actor for his role in Coogler's film Sinners, a full-circle moment for the director-actor pair.

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What they’re saying

“'Please sit down, I'm very nervous and they are going to play me off,'”

— Ryan Coogler, Filmmaker

“'I wanna thank my fellow nominees. I wanna thank y'all for the gifts that y'all movies were and for y'all's friendship over the past years and months,'”

— Ryan Coogler, Filmmaker

The takeaway

Coogler's award-winning hairstyle at the Oscars demonstrated his attention to detail and commitment to celebrating Black art and culture through his filmmaking and personal style.