Last night, black Hollywood gathered together in Pasadena, California for the 46th Annual NAACP Image Awards, which recognizes the best in black achievements in entertainment, including TV, film and music.
Ava DuVernay’s “Selma,” “How to Get Away With Murder,” “Black-ish” and Taraji P. Henson were among the top honors last night, but, before we reveal the big winners of the night, let’s recap a few highlights from the live telecast…
Anthony Anderson alongside a few dancers, kicked off the ceremony with his own rendition of “Uptown Funk,” instantly boosting the crowds energy. Along with being the master of ceremonies, Anderson walked away with an award for “Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series.”
But it was former “Girlfriends” star Tracie Ellis Ross’ words of female empowerment, that stole the show…
“I just want to say this. I love being a woman. I love playing a woman. I love being a whole and full woman,” she said. “I am more than my parts, and we all are. And we all, as women, need to continue to change our gaze from how we are seen to how we are seeing. We are full and beautiful women, and let us live in that. I love being a mother on TV. And all I have to say is, I hope that life imitates art or art imitates life and that marriage and babies are around the corner.”
Later on, “Selma” director Ava DuVernay took the stage, where she introduced a touching montage that addressed some of the heartbreaking social issues that continue to occur across the nation, including the controversial deaths of Eric Garner and Mike Brown.
Focus actor Will Smith also took the stage to present “Selma” with the award for “Outstanding Motion Picture.”
For a list of the big winner’s last night, scroll below:
Entertainer of the Year: Taraji P. Henson
Outstanding Motion Picture: Selma
Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: David Oyelowo, Selma
Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: Taraji P. Henson, No Good Deed
Outstanding Comedy Series: “Black-ish”
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series: Anthony Anderson, “Black-ish”
Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series: Tracee Ellis Ross, “Black-ish”
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Laurence Fishburne, “Black-ish”
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Yara Shahidi, “Black-ish”
Outstanding Drama Series: “How to Get Away with Murder”
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series: Shemar Moore, “Criminal Minds”
Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series: Viola Davis, “How to Get Away with Murder”
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Joe Morton, “Scandal”
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Khandi Alexander, “Scandal”
