Angela Bassett Starts Conversations on Discrimination in Awards Ceremonies
Angela Bassett was announced to be one of three recipients of an honorary Oscar at this year’s Governors Awards. This decision sparked controversy among fans.
Angela Bassett has been nominated for two Oscars in her illustrious career. The first was for her role as Tina Turner in the film What’s Love Gotta Do With It in 1994. Her second nomination was this year, at the 2023 Academy Awards, for her role as Ramonda in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Many considered Bassett to be snubbed this year for her Best Supporting Actress nomination. Jamie Lee Curtis, a white woman, won the award for her role in Everything Everywhere All at Once. This award-winning production is an intimate story about Asian American culture and family. Stephanie Hsu, who had a major role in the film, was also nominated for the category. Despite excellent performances by both Bassett and Hsu, Curtis won the Oscar. This came as an outrage to many fans of both Hsu and Bassett.
I stand firm that Angela Bassett and Stephanie Hsu were robbed. Everything that Angela gave in Wakanda Forever. Powerful!! And Stephanie’s insane, moving performance as the queer, complex, multidimensional Jobu Tupaki? Both losing to THAT? The flagrant disrespect. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/nIxWt9MGvc
— Dalia ☕️🦊💥 (@darkkittyart) March 13, 2023
That Angela Bassett snub really hurt me.
— Osamudiameh (@MayowaMula) March 13, 2023
The annual Governors Awards announced this year’s recipients early this week. Angela Bassett is among those set to receive an honorary Oscar. Many fans and individuals in the industry feel there is injustice in this decision. It is argued that Bassett deserves a higher form of recognition.
Many feel that Bassett has been snubbed in the regular categories as a Black actress and that the honorary Oscar is placating and disingenuous. In an Instagram post, director Yusuf Nasir weighed in: “The other day I read that Angela Bassett is finally getting her Oscar, but I didn’t feel the excitement one should feel when someone receives an award that’s long overdue.” He continued, “[This] is another example of how brilliant African American artist, that have given their lives to their craft, somehow someway, are always having to accept the achievement or participation award for something that should of been given to them in the moment, not after the fact.”
Bassett is set to receive her honorary Oscar on Saturday, November 18, in Los Angeles at the Governors Awards. More information about the ceremony is available on the Oscars website.
