Source: Amy Sussman / Getty / Angela Bassett
The 54th NAACP Image Awards went down last night live for the first time in front of an audience for the first time in three years, and it was an evening full of Black excellence.
Queen Latifah held down the hosting duties during the 2-hour special that aired on BET and was held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California.
Understandably, the awards show has not had a live component since the coronavirus pandemic came and shut every damn thing down. Last year’s show was a hybrid presentation because it was partially virtual and featured live appearances from live presenters, award winners, and honorees.
As expected, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever took home the big honor of winning the Image Award for Outstanding Motion Picture.
Wakanda Forever star Angela Bassett took home three awards: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for emotional performance as Queen Ramonda in the MCU film, Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for 911, and night’s biggest honor Entertainer of The Year.
During her speech, Bassett showed love to Ariana DeBose, who was ridiculed for her BAFTA Awards rap featuring the lyric “Angela Bassett Did The Thing.”
Sisters are doing it for themselves! The incredible @ArianaDeBose opens the 2023 #EEBAFTAs with an iconic performance!
pic.twitter.com/G9YgKN2e1t
— BAFTA (@BAFTA) February 19, 2023
DeBose wound up deleting her Twitter account following the ridicule she received. Bassett did reveal she reached out to the West Side Story star to see if she was okay following the “ridicule.”
"Angela Bassett did the thing" finally comes full circle! Angela is hilarious!
#NAACPImageAwards pic.twitter.com/AbOJfFQPmg
— charlie wilson fan club president. (@travisfromdabk_) February 26, 2023
Other Notable NAACP Image Award Winners
Will Smith, who was not in attendance, won the Outstanding Actor award for his performance in the AppleTV+ film Emancipation.
Viola Davis, the most recent person to reach EGOT status, won Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for her performance in The Woman King.
Beyoncé didn’t get the recognition she deserved at The Grammys, but her latest project, Rennaissance, was appreciated at the Image Awards, winning Outstanding Album.
It was a night of celebrating nothing but Black Excellence in many different categories.
You can see some of the winners from the night below and here for the complete list.
Motion Picture Categories
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Motion Picture
Tenoch Huerta Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
The Inspection
Outstanding International Motion Picture
Bantú Mama
Outstanding Breakout Performance In A Motion Picture
Jalyn Hall, Till
Outstanding Ensemble Cast In A Motion Picture
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Outstanding Animated Motion Picture
Wendell & Wild
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance – Motion Picture
Keke Palmer, Lightyear
Outstanding Short-Form (Live Action)
Dear Mama…
Outstanding Short-Form (Animated)
More Than I Want to Remember
Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)
Ericka Nicole Malone, Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story
Television Categories
Outstanding Comedy Series
Abbott Elementary
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
Cedric The Entertainer, The Neighborhood
Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Janelle James, Abbott Elementary
Outstanding Drama Series
P-Valley
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
Nicco Annan, P-Valley
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Cliff “Method Man” Smith, Power Book II: Ghost
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Loretta Devine, P-Valley
Outstanding Television Movie, Limited Series or Dramatic Special
The Best Man: The Final Chapters
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Photo: Amy Sussman / Getty
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