Chadwick Boseman’s Wife Talks ‘Importance of Black Voices’ at Critics Choice Awards

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Chadwick Boseman’s widow Simone Ledward Boseman gave a heartfelt speech about the importance of representation, after her late husband won a posthumous best actor honor at the 26th annual Critics Choice Awards.

It was the latest award the actor has received for his role as musician Levee Green in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.

“Wow. It has to be said aloud that for those of us who know Chad intimately, personally, professionally, those he taught, those he gave a word of advice, those who taught him — it is so hard to find a celebratory feeling in these moments,” Ledward Boseman said during Sunday’s virtual ceremony. “As proud as we are of him, yes for his work, but even more just for who he is as a person.”

Boseman passed away last year at age 43 after battling colon cancer. Ledward Boseman told the audience he would have spoken about the importance of Black voices in movies.

“He may say something about the importance of this story. About the importance of Black voices telling Black stories,” she continued.

Related Story: Chadwick Boseman Remembered as ‘Incredible Artist’ at Critics Choice Celebration of Black Cinema

Boseman beat out fellow nominees Ben Affleck (The Way Back), Riz Ahmed (Sound of Metal), Tom Hanks (News of the World), Anthony Hopkins (The Father), Delroy Lindo (Da 5 Bloods), Gary Oldman (Mank) and Steven Yeun (Minari).

Other winners of the night included Daniel Kaluuya for best supporting actor for his role as Black Panther leader Fred Hampton in Judas and the Black Messiah.

Netflix’s The Trial of the Chicago 7 won best acting ensemble and Nomadland won best picture of the year with its director Chloé Zhao being named best director.

On the television side, John Boyega won best actor in a movie made for television or limited series for his role in Steve McQueen’s Small Axe. Uzo Aduba won best supporting actress in a movie made for television or limited series for her role in Mrs. America. Apple TV’s Ted Lasso won best comedy series and Netflix’s The Crown won best drama series.

The Critics Choice Association is made up of more than 400 television, radio and online critics and entertainment reporters. Below is the full list of winners at the 26th annual Critics Choice Awards:

Best Supporting Actor: Daniel Kaluuya, Judas and the Black Messiah (Warner Bros)

Best Supporting Actress: Maria Bakalova, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (Amazon Studios)

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Gillian Anderson, The Crown (Netflix)

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Michael K. Williams, Lovecraft Country (HBO)

Best Supporting Actor in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series: Donald Sutherland, The Undoing (HBO)

Best Supporting Actress in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series: Uzo Aduba, Mrs. America (FX)

Best Young Actor or Actress: Alan S. Kim, Minari (A24)

Best Actor in a Drama Series: Josh O’Connor, The Crown (Netflix)

Best Actress in a Drama Series: Emma Corrin – The Crown (Netflix)

Best Actress in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series: Anya Taylor-Joy – The Queen’s Gambit (Netflix)

Best Actor in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series: John Boyega – Small Axe (Amazon Prime Video)

Best Comedy: Palm Springs (Hulu/Neon)

Best Comedy Special: Jerry Seinfeld: 23 Hours to Kill (Netflix) & Michelle Buteau: Welcome to Buteaupia (Netflix)

Best Acting Ensemble: The Trial of the Chicago 7 (Netflix)

Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Daniel Levy, Schitt’s Creek (Pop TV)

Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Hannah Waddingham – Ted Lasso (Apple TV Plus)

Best Actor in a Comedy Series: Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso (Apple TV Plus)

Best Actress in a Comedy Series: Catherine O’Hara, Schitt’s Creek (Pop TV)

Best Comedy Series: Ted Lasso (Apple TV Plus)

Best Drama Series: The Crown (Netflix)

Best Talk Show: Late Night with Seth Meyers (NBC)

Best Limited Series: The Queen’s Gambit (Netflix)

#SeeHer Award: Zendaya

Best Movie Made for Television: Hamilton (Disney Plus)

Best Short-Form Series: Better Call Saul: Ethics Training with Kim Wexler (AMC)

Best Song: One Night in Miami (Amazon Studios) – “Speak Now”

Best: Director: Chloé Zhao, Nomadland (Searchlight Pictures)

Best Cinematography: Nomadland (Searchlight Pictures) – Joshua James Richards

Best Film Editing: Sound of Metal (Amazon Studios) – Mikkel E.G. Nielsen & The Trial of the Chicago 7 (Netflix) – Alan Baumgarten *TIE*

Best Visual Effects: Tenet (Warner Bros)

Best Hair and Makeup: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Netflix)

Best Costume Design: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Netflix) – Ann Roth

Best Production Design: Mank (Netflix) – Donald Graham Burt (production designer), Jan Pascale (set designer)

Best Actor: Chadwick Boseman, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Netflix)

Best Original Screenplay: Promising Young Woman (Focus Features) – Emerald Fennell

Best Adapted Screenplay: Nomadland (Searchlight Pictures) – Chloé Zhao

Best Foreign Language Film: Minari (A24)

Best Original Score: Soul (Pixar) – Jon Batiste, Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross

Best Actress: Carey Mulligan, Promising Young Woman (Focus Features)

Best Picture: Nomadland (Searchlight Pictures)


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About Jacquelinne Mejia

Jacquelinne Mejia is a writer and social media producer in Los Angeles. She can be reached on Twitter @JackieMejia.