LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: Angela Bassett attends the Los Angeles premiere of National Geographic documentary series "Queens" at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on February 08, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Angela Bassett sat down with Oprah Winfrey and shared her feelings about her 2023 Oscar snub.
Bassett was nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Her portrayal as Queen Ramonda in the ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ film received stellar reviews.
After losing to Jamie in March 2023 the living legend’s facial expression became a meme. In their interview for OWN, Winfrey recalled watching the events transpire from her home.
“We’re all in our pajamas, watching you on Oscar night … 30 years after you were nominated for ‘What’s Love Got to Do With It’ but didn’t win. So I just knew your name was going to be called and then when they didn’t, I was beside myself,” the media mogul said.
Additionally, Oprah mentioned the viral meme showing Angela’s reaction, per Hollywood Reporter. Her facial expression is shown when Jamie Lee Curtis’ name is announced.
“So Angela Bassett’s face became like all over the internet,” Oprah said. “People are saying your disappointment showed, but I thought you handled it really well.”
Watch Angela’s viral expression below.
Angela agreed with Oprah’s comment. In her mind, she handled the moment with class, despite her disappointment.
“I thought I handled it very well, also. And that was my intention, to handle it very well,” Bassett said.
“It was, of course, a supreme disappointment, and disappointment is human,” Angela Bassett added. “So I thought, yes, I was disappointed, and I handled it like a human being.”
In addition, Angela said, “There are going to be these moments of disappointment that they’re going to experience, but how do you handle yourself in the midst of them? So, we’re going to smile, we’re going to be gracious, we’re going to be kind, we’re going to party — anyway.”
Less than a year after the 2023 Oscars snub, Angela Bassett received an honorary Oscar at the Governor Awards. The January 2024 honor marked her first Oscar in her decades-long career. At the time, she gave a powerful speech and thanked the Black actresses who paved the path for her to have a successful career.
“…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.”
