Angela Bassett did the thing — at the 54th NAACP Image Awards.
The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever star took home three trophies, including the award for Entertainer of the Year.
She also picked up awards for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for 9-1-1 and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for her performance in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Wearing an elegant white jumpsuit, the Bassett gave a nod to Ariana DeBose’s viral BAFTA Awards rap that made headlines last weekend.
“I guess Angela Bassett did the thing!” Bassett said to applause as she accepted the Entertainer of the Year award.
Her comment is sure to go viral, just like DeBose’s did when she rapped: “An-ge-la Bassett did the thing. Viola Davis my Woman King!”
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Additional winners Saturday night included Will Smith for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for Emancipation, marking his first major award since last year’s Oscars slap.
Smith didn’t attend the ceremony, but posted a statement on Instagram.
“WOW!! NAACP!! I am absolutely humbled by this!! I want to share this with my entire #Emancipation family – @antoinefuqua, @charmainebingwa, Ben, Bob, Jon the whole team at @westbrook and @appletvplus… I am so proud of the work we put into this film,” he wrote. “I would like to thank the NAACP for honoring our film!”
Viola Davis won Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for her role in The Woman King.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever picked up the award for Outstanding Motion Picture, and Abbott Elementary won Outstanding Comedy Series.
The night’s honors also included the NAACP President’s Award, which went to Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade for their work supporting LGBTQIA+ youth.
Queen Latifah served as host of the ceremony, held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Calif. on a very rainy night.
The show included a live audience for the first time in three years since the pandemic began.
Prior to Saturday’s show, the Image Awards held non-televised virtual ceremonies throughout the week — which began on Monday and honored work for directing, TV hosting, music, podcasting, voice-over work, short-form programs, and literary work.
Each year the NAACP Image Awards recognize outstanding achievements by people of color across more than 80 competitive categories.
The live show aired on BET and was also simulcast across Paramount Global networks, including BET HER, CBS, CMT, Comedy Central, LOGO, MTV, MTV2, Paramount Network, POP TV, Smithsonian, TV Land, and VH1.
Related Story: Angela Bassett Reveals Which Films Have Been ‘Highlights’ of Her Career (Video)
Read the full list of televised category winners below:
Entertainer of the Year
Angela Bassett
Outstanding Motion Picture
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
Viola Davis – The Woman King
Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
Will Smith – Emancipation
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
Tenoch Huerta – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Angela Bassett – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Outstanding Comedy Series
Abbott Elementary
Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
Angela Bassett – 9-1-1
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
Nicco Annan – P-Valley
Jackie Robinson Sports Award
Serena Williams
Chairman’s Award
Congressman Bennie G. Thompson
Social Justice Impact Award
Benjamin Crump
President’s Award
Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade
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