HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 09: (L-R) Regina King presents an honorary Oscar to Angela Bassett onstage during the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences' 14th Annual Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on January 09, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Angela Bassett went viral overnight after receiving a long overdue honor and sharing a moment with Regina King on stage.
Bassett grew her career accolades when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognized her film industry contributions with an honorary Oscar. Angela was presented with the award at the academy’s Governor’s Awards on Tuesday (Jan. 9) in Hollywood, California.
This marks her first Oscar, despite acting since the late 1980s. It also comes less than a year after Bassett lost the ‘Best Support Actress’ Oscar to Jamie Lee Curtis. Angela’s nomination was for her reprised Queen Ramonda role in ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ while Lee’s nomination was for her ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ role.
Bassett didn’t immediately react to the loss. However, her presumed ‘disappointed’ face during the show’s live taping sent social users into defense mode. Many labeled the moment a snub.
But, on Tuesday, Angela Bassett got her opportunity to shine! She delivered a powerful speech. She thanked Black actresses who excelled before her, such as Diahann Carroll and Cicely Tyson.
“It was standing on their strong, spiritually fortified shoulders that I often was sustained, and I thank them for every sacrifice, every doubt, every disappointment, every rejection, every triumph that I know they experienced along the way,” Angela Bassett said. “Because had it not been for their resilience, continuing to fight through their fears and the uncertainty and their willingness as they fought for every role, I would not have had a representation of what was possible for me.”
Bassett also reminded folks of the importance of standing together.
“But this honor isn’t just for or about me,” she said. “What I hope this moment means is that we are taking the necessary steps toward a future in which it is the norm, not the exception, to see and embrace one another’s full humanity, stories and perspectives…This must be our goal, and to always remember that there is room for us all. When we stand together, we win together.”
Swipe below for a recap of Tuesday’s win.
For context, the honorary Oscar is meant to “honor extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of motion pictures arts and sciences or for outstanding service to the Academy.” According to PEOPLE, Samuel L. Jackson and Jackie Chan are on the list of past recipients. At Tuesday’s show, Mel Brooks and Carol Littleton also received honorary Oscars.
Watch Angela’s full speech below.
