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“Scandal’s” Kerry Washington, exchanged a long embrace with her Scandal co-star, President Fitzgerald Grant, played by actor Tony Goldwyn, as he presented her with the best actress in a drama award last night at the NAACP 44th Annual Image Awards. This caused the females in the audience to cheer, and that wasn’t the only great moment.
Last night’s 44th Annual Image Awards rolled out the red carpet at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles for most of Black Hollywood and it was a proud moment for all of us. The NAACP has been heralding our achievements for decades and last night was a chance for black stars to shine.
Comedian Steve Harvey, as host, was appropriately handsome and appropriately subdued. Dennis Haysbert’s (The Allstate man) voice lent a polished tone as the background announcer. Presenters included Common, Halle Berry, Samuel Jackson, and Mr. Sidney Poitier, who presented the award to Mr. Harry Belafonte.
Loretta Devine received a Best Supporting Actress award for her recurring role in “Grey’s Anatomy”, and she was tearful as the crowd of black celebrities gave her a standing ovation. Ms. Devine has been divine since she starred on Broadway in “Dreamgirls”.
Lance Gross, “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne”, won Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy. Don Cheadle won the award for Best Actor in a Drama for his portrayal in “House of Lies”.
Kerry Washington also won two other awards, Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture (D’Jango Unchained), and the President’s Award for her public service. She thanked ABC Disney for creating the show, “Scandal”, as well as the real life Olivia Pope, Judy Smith, for whom the role is modeled.
The Movie of the year, “Red Tails”, beat out “D’Jango Unchained”, “Flight”, “Beasts of the Southern Wild”, and “Tyler Perry’s Good Deeds”. George Lucas couldn’t help but rub it in as he crooned, “I beat Quentin Tarantino,” as he accepted the award.
Denzel Washington won for Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Flight), but he couldn’t be there to accept the award.
Finally, Mr. Jamie Foxx received the Entertainer of the Year Award. His speech was one of the more moving since he threw out what he intended to say. He spoke from his heart about making his career a tribute to the accomplishments of the likes of Harry Belafonte and Sidney Poitier. He was overcome by emotion at the end of this declaration and that ended the show.
I can’t help but echo host Steve Harvey who said in his opening, how fitting that the NAACP show should be held on the first night of black history month.
Photo credits to Getty.
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