In Honorary Oscar Speech, Angela Bassett Honors Groundbreaking Black Actresses
Angela Bassett graciously acknowledges the trailblazing Black actresses who paved the way for her, as she accepts an honorary Oscar for her remarkable contributions to the entertainment industry
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Angela Bassett celebrated her honorary Oscar win by thanking the Black actresses whose footsteps she followed.
"When I fell in love with acting, I couldn't see a clear path to success because there were so few Black actresses in TV and film," shared Bassett, 65, at the 2024 Governors Awards on January 9. "Trailblazing actors like Ruby Dee, Diahann Carroll, Cicely Tyson, and Rosalind Cash were my inspiration, showing me that despite the challenges, I could achieve what I believed was my destiny."
She continued, emphasizing that her award represents more than her personal achievements in Hollywood. "I hope this moment signals progress towards a future where embracing each other's humanity, stories, and perspectives is the norm, not the exception," she asserted. "Our goal should be to remember that there is space for everyone and that when we stand together, we all succeed."
In her speech, Bassett also recognized Black Oscar winners, such as Hattie McDaniel, Whoopi Goldberg, Halle Berry, Jennifer Hudson, Mo’Nique, Octavia Spencer, Lupita Nyong’o, Viola Davis, Regina King, and Ariana DeBose. She spoke to her fellow Black actresses, encouraging them to find courage and strength, reminding them that their contributions matter and have the power to offer hope, provide a different perspective, and bring joy to others. She expressed her pride in sharing the award with women who stand up, speak up, and remain determined in the face of adversity.
Bassett concluded her address with a hopeful message about the future of Hollywood. "I hope that our industry will continue to evolve, become more forward-thinking, and embrace inclusivity," she expressed at the Los Angeles event. "I envision a future where there are no longer firsts, onlys, or doubts about whether history will be made through nominations or victories. I believe that one day, the focus will be solely on the performance and the artist. Ultimately, we all strive for the opportunity to create impactful and exceptional work."
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Bassett’s honorary Oscar win comes almost a year after she received her second Oscar nomination for her role as Queen Ramonda in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Despite being a favorite to win at the March 2023 ceremony, she ultimately lost the award to Jamie Lee Curtis. This is not the first time Bassett has been recognized by the Academy; she was previously nominated for best actress in 1994 for What’s Love Got to Do With It.
After the ceremony, Bassett faced criticism for not standing to congratulate Curtis on her win, but Michael B. Jordan showed his support while presenting an award, addressing her as "auntie" and quoting a line from 2018’s Black Panther. Jordan’s co-presenter, Jonathan Majors, also sent well-wishes to Bassett by saying, “We love you.”
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Bassett finally addressed the awards snub in April 2023. In a piece for Time's 100 Most Influential People of 2023 series, she shared her experience of the Oscars with Austin Butler, expressing empathy for his disappointment at not winning Best Actor in a Leading Role. Despite the loss, she expressed her confidence in Butler's future as an actor and looked forward to seeing his upcoming projects.
