This weekend’s NAACP awards celebrated so much Black excellence in film. After some Oscars snubs, the NAACP swooped in to recognize some truly outstanding Black and Brown artists. The ceremony was hosted by Queen Latifah, otherwise known as cinematic royalty.
Queen Latifah wore a couture lilac scalloped dress from designer Georges Hobieka, starting the Spring season off strong with her vibrant fluorescence at the NAACP awards . (Photo Credit: Getty Images for BET)
Here’s a quick recap of all the winners!
Film
Blitz Bazawule‘s 2023 remake of The Color Purplemusical, based on the classic novel from Alice Walker, took home the top prize for best motion picture. Singer-actress Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson and Danielle Brooksbrought the arduous yet inspiring story of Celie Harris to life again alongside castmates Colman Domingo, Halle Bailey and musician Ciara.
Carrying on another win for The Color Purple, Barrino won the top prize for best actress and Henson for supporting actress. During her emotional acceptance speech, Barrino shed tears while singing for the audience. She looked absolutely gorgeous, adorned with black sparkles and a vintage-cut dress from Monot.
As if The Color Purple couldn’t be more triumphant- it was! The film won an award for cast ensemble, with rising star Phylicia Pearl Mpasi taking home a trophy for outstanding breakthrough performance as well.
Domingo won best supporting actor for the film AND best leading actor for Rustin. What night for him. Lastly, The Color Purple brought home multiple awards for its creative designs, including costuming, hairstyling and its soundtrack.
Television
Cinematic genius Quinta Brunson‘s Abbott Elementary won numerous awards including best comedy series, best leading actress in a comedy (Brunson) and best supporting actor, won by William Stanford Davis. Brunson was also honored at this year’s Emmys, establishing quite a repertoire.
“I’m very proud of the work I get to do in Abbott. I’m very proud of my cast, thank you to my family. I hope my mom and dad are watching, and all the Black people in my life.”
-Brunson during her acceptance speech
Brunson gave wedding couture during the NAACP Awards ceremony. Her plunged v-neck gown was designed by Naeem Khan. (Photo Credit: Getty Images for BET)
Ayo Edebiricontinued her Emmy and Golden Globe championship by taking home an award for her supporting role in The Bear. Bridgerton’s Queen Charlotteseries also took home some awards, including best actress in a drama series, won by India Ria Amarteifio.
Amarteifio looked particularly gleeful in her vintage houndstooth outfit, perhaps a vintage homage to Audrey Hepburn. (Photo Credit: Getty Images for BET)
During NAACP awards, Latifah and Henson also called out the lack of equity for Black women in the film industry.
Queen Latifah set the word on Black actresses straight at the NAACP Image Awards:
“You know what’s not giving inflation?” Latifah asked the audience.
“Equal pay for Black actresses,” Henson responded, snapping her fingers. With a petal-shaped bodice and sparkling rhinestones, Henson flowered straight into the Spring season in her Del Core pastel yellow gown. (Photo Credit: Getty Images for BET)
The two earned a standing ovation from the audience, but social media was less thrilled. Though Latifah’s line had good intentions, Twitter users felt frustrated watching her standing ovation admist years of actress Monique‘s scrutinized advocacy for equal pay.
Back in 2010, the actress won an Oscar for her performance in the film Precious, where she was reportedly “black balled” from Hollywood after conflict with her director Lee Daniels during filming.
In 2016, the actress also sparked controversy for her vocal opposition to the Oscars due to its lack of diversity. In the height of the #Oscarssowhite movement, the actress said she wouldn’t boycott the award ceremony, but was not going to watch it either.
Since then, she’s been relatively recluse from the spotlight after years of turning down other movie roles from Daniels. Twitter fans came to her defense, upset over the sudden support against Hollywood’s income gap. They were also disappointed that Latifah didn’t mention Monique as a trailblazer for her thoughts on Black equity.
Yall fake asf because when Monique was telling her truth yall laughed at her like it couldn’t be done to yall now yall see it can yall screaming equal pay where were yall at when Monique was saying equal pay 🤭🤭🤭
You cannot say thank you Taraji for standing for all of us without thanking Monique! Then y’all keep getting Ms. U.N.I.T.Y to get up there and do shady shit. Like c’mon!
Despite mixed feelings from Twitter regarding the NAACP awards, we’d like to issue a huge congratulations to all the winners of the night! Stay tuned for our N’Crew’s exclusive predictions for next fashion trends on the NAACP red carpet!
