Gina Prince-Bythewood Talks ‘Woman King’ Oscar Snub, ‘Community’ Appreciation from NAACP Image Awards

Gina Prince-Bythewood is reacting to a story making headlines.

Gina Prince-Bythewood is taking issue with the Oscars.

Elizabeth Taylor On March 8, the eighth annual Icon Mann Honors paid tribute to “The Woman King” director Gina Prince-Bythewood, who was lauded for her hallmark filmmaking and for inspiring culture by breaking new ground in cinema. Striving for a better future in the arts, she addressed the audience that gathered at the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills. “I have always believed our greatness is reflected in our work and the ways that we show the world the incredible breadth of our humanity.” The driving force for her career was further described during her acceptance speech. “From the beginning, I tell stories of Black women and girls and reframe the narrative of who we are and what we can be. I want us to look up on the screen and see ourselves reflected in a way that inspires us and that we can aspire to be. And I’m proud of the Black men that I’ve centered in my work.”

Angelique Jackson The eighth annual Icon Mann Honors dinner will salute “The Woman King” filmmaker Gina Prince-Bythewood, “Sidney” director Reginald Hudlin and Uzodinma Iweala, CEO of the Africa Center NYC and author of the New York Times bestseller “Beasts of No Nation.” Icon Mann partnered with Sony Pictures for the event, which has a “Reimagining African Diasporic Narratives” theme and will take place on Wednesday, March 8 at the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills, Calif. The dinner is part of a series of awards week events for Icon Mann, which is a media, production and management consultancy representing African Diasporic heritage. The company is a leading strategic broker for investments and enterprise within creative industries for Hollywood and media-driven African nations, cultivating a global network of creators and leaders focused on “positive narrative representation.”

did the thing.The star was named Entertainer of the Year and outstanding supporting actress in a motion picture at the awards ceremony, which honors achievements made by people of color in over . She took the stage wearing a fabulous white jumpsuit, making sure to reference Ariana DeBose's from this year's .This content can also be viewed on the site it from.When it comes to fashion, Bassett wasn't the only one who showed up and showed out.

or a slinky , the Hollywood star knows how to make a statement. For her most recent outing, after a lengthy absence from the red carpet? Zendaya offered not one but two sizzling outfits in a single evening—both rare archival looks that any devoted fashion enthusiast would recognize from a mile away.To attend the 2023 NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles, the wore a silk black and green vintage haute couture dress from its spring/summer 2002 collection.

Angelique Jackson Gabrielle Union-Wade and Dwyane Wade were honored with the President’s Awards at the 54th annual NAACP Image Awards for their philanthropic work and vocal support of the LGBTQIA community. On the red carpet, NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson told Variety that the Wades were selected specifically for the way they’ve privately and publicly supported their daughter Zaya Wade, who came out as transgender in 2020. “I love the way they stood up and are standing up for their child,” Johnson explained. “We have five kids — for me it’s very significant for a father to stand strong, a mother to stand strong in support of their child.“

Ariana DeBose's now-infamous rap performance at the 2023 BAFTA Awards has officially come full circle. During Saturday night's 54th NAACP Image Awards, the breakout star of DeBose's viral rap, Angela Bassett, proved she knows how to carry a joke while accepting her Entertainer of the Year award onstage.«I guess Angela Bassett did the thing,» she quipped to the audience's laugher.«I guess Angela Bassett did the thing» — Angela Bassett as she accepts her entertainer of the year award at the #NAACPImageAwardspic.twitter.com/mevSTcKhUSThe reference is to DeBose's opening for the 2023 BAFTA Awards, in which she performed «Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves» and «We Are Family,» and the infamous original rap where she shouted out the awards show's female nominees. “Angela Bassett did the thing, Viola Davis my 'Woman King,' Blanchett Cate you're a genius, Jamie Lee you are all of us,” sang DeBose. The camera panned to the women as they were name-dropped. Memes quickly made their rounds on social media among a wide range of responses, which seemingly led DeBose to deactivate her Twitter account. But on Instagram DeBose reacted graciously, commenting on a carousel of memes with, «Honestly I love this.»In a preview for an upcoming interview on BBC Radio 2's  posted on TikTok, the  star brushed away the criticism and focused on the love she's received.

Angela Bassett wins big at the NAACP Image Awards. The actress took home three trophies for Outstanding Actress in a drama series for 9-1-1, Supporting Actress for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and the biggest award of the night, Entertainer of the Year.

WNBA basketball player Brittney Griner and wife Cherelle took the stage at the award show. The show’s host Queen Latifah prefaced Griner’s appearance by commenting on the resilience of Black people. 

54th NAACP Image Awards Saturday night, and the 53-year-old gave an impassioned speech for Black Americans to fight against politicians «in Florida or any of the other 50 states» trying to erase Black history.The longtime advocate for families who have lost loved ones to police violence was honored with the award for his efforts in protecting the rights of people on the federal, state and local levels.«I accept this award as greater motivation to continue to be [an] unapolgetic defender of Black life, Black liberty and Black humanity,» Crump said during his acceptance speech. «I promise I will use this Social Justice Award as greater incentive to fight against the legalized genocide of colored people and vow never to stop fighting racism and discrimination when it rears its ugly head.»Addressing Gov. Ron DeSantis' recent moves to block the uncensored teaching of Black history and AP African American history courses in Florida — which is where Crump's practice is located — the attorney thanked those who have fought with him to «make liberty and justice for all a reality.»«I will continue to fight in the court of law, in the court of public opinion,» Crump said.

much-publicized dust-up with Chris Rock occurred at the 94th Academy Awards.Angela Bassett was a triple winner, taking home Entertainer of the Year, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” (a performance for which she’s also Oscar-nominated) and Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for “9-1-1.”ABC’s “Abbott Elementary,” meanwhile, dominated the TV awards, taking home four trophies in all including Outstanding Comedy Series, Best Actress (Quinta Brunson), Supporting Actress (Janelle James) and Supporting Actor (Tyler James Williams). James bested Emmy-winning costar Sheryl Lee Ralph in the supporting category, giving her a boost as Emmy season approaches.Starz’s acclaimed “P-Valley” surprised by picking up a number of major awards, including Outstanding Drama Series, Nicco Annan for leading actor, and Loretta Devine for supporting actress.

NAACP Image Awards did the thing! After its regular week-long, non-televised celebrations, the annual awards ceremony concluded with its main ceremony on Saturday night. Hosted by GRAMMY, Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actress and producer Queen Latifah, Saturday's ceremony included Janelle Monae, Taye Diggs, Kerry Washington, Jonathan Majors, Zendaya and more presenting awards to their peers, while also highlighting the accomplishments of political leaders and activists.Jennifer Hudson, Quinta Brunson, Keke Palmer and more scored wins during the pre-awards festivities, while Saturday's ceremony saw Angela Bassett, Viola Davis, Will Smith and more honored for their artistic contributions. This year's Activist of the Year Award was presented to Dr. Derrick Lee Foward, president of the Dayton Unit of the NAACP and a vice president of the Ohio NAACP, and the Youth Activist of the Year Award honored to Bradley Ross Jackson, the president of the youth council of the Bloomington-Normal NAACP in Bloomington, Indiana.

Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade are getting their flowers. The couple received the prestigious President's Award at the 54th NAACP Image Awards Saturday night. Union and Wade share a 4-year-old daughter Kaavia, as well as Wade's 20-year-old son, Zaire, 15-year-old daughter, Zaya, and 8-year-old son, Xavier. The couple — who got married in 2014 -- has become very prominent figures as allies with the LGBTQ+ community after the family introduced the world to Zaya back in February 2020, with a touching video featuring Wade and then-12-year-old Zaya on a golf cart together talking about being true to one's self. Union and Wade — and the rest of their family --  have proudly supported Zaya throughout her endeavors.

Katie Reul editor Will Smith won the NAACP Image Award for outstanding actor in a motion picture for his performance in “Emancipation” on Saturday night, marking his first award win since his infamous incident at the 2022 Oscars in which he slapped Chris Rock onstage. Smith was not present at the ceremony to accept his award in person. Set in 19th century Louisiana, Smith portrays a runaway slave who embarks on a treacherous journey to Baton Rouge while thwarting off violent plantation owners. “Emancipation” was inspired by an 1863 photograph known as “Whipped Peter,” which depicts a once-enslaved individual with severe lacerations on his back. The image’s circulation placed the brutality of slavery in front of the eyes of the American public.

NAACP Image Awards on Saturday evening. “The Woman King” director penned an essay in The Hollywood Reporter after her historical drama found itself completely shut out of the Academy Awards, despite landing several precursor noms across other awards bodies and craft institutions. Prince-Bythewood called the season “an eye-opener” and that “the Academy made a very loud statement, and for me to stay quiet is to accept that statement.” “We know the issues exist, but they felt amplified this year,” Prince-Bythewood told Variety senior entertainment writer Angelique Jackson on the red carpet, discussing her essay. “The responses have been really amazing. The number of people that have reached out and sharing it — whole companies are sharing it — and then going to the BAFTAs and having people reference it as well, there’s no denying some of the things I put in and people were able to see firsthand what happened.”

Zendaya on a red carpet, and the wait is finally over. The 26-year-old made her grand return to the public eye at the 54th NAACP Image Awards on Saturday night. As stylish as ever, the actress stunned in a strapless black and green gown with a plunging-v neckline and a classic Old Hollywood silhouette. Zendaya also debuted a new color for her recent bob-length hair, going from her previous blonde to a chocolatey brown, styled in chic curls that fell just above her shoulders.Zendaya is nominated for Entertainer of the Year and Best Actress in a Drama for her role in the Sam Levinson-directed HBO series.

NAACP Image Awards took place on Saturday night, with Queen Latifah hosting the telecast from Pasadena Civic Auditorium. Nominees throughout the categories include Angela Bassett, Will Smith, Jonathan Majors, Mary J. Blige, Quinta Brunson, Viola Davis, Zendaya, Danielle Deadwyler, Letitia Wright and Sterling K. Brown and many more. Latifah opened the show with a robust tribute to Black women, shouting out several luminaries in the audience, including Serena Williams (who received the Jackie Robinson Sports Award), Bassett, and Davis — who Latifah celebrated for being a newly minted EGOT.

Quinta Brunson stepped onto the 54th NAACP Image Awards red carpet already a winner. The creator and star of ABC's  earned two wins during the pre-awards festivities which precede Saturday's main ceremony, including Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series and Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television). «It means the world to me,» the actress told ET on the red carpet when asked how it feels to have the recently renewed show recognized by an awards ceremony honoring Black artists across television, music, literature and film.

After nearly a week of handing out trophies, the televised portion of the NAACP Image Awards begins at 8 p.m. ET Saturday on multiple Paramount Global channels. The show airs delayed at 8 p.m. in the Pacific time zone. Read on about how to watch it.