2022 NAACP Image Awards
The 2022 NAACP Image Awards live telecast aired on BET on February 26th, but some winners were announced earlier in the week. The 53rd Annual NAACP Image Awards winners in literary and podcast categories were the late Cicely Tyson, Will Smith, Tabitha Brown, Stacey Abrams, and Jemele Hill. In writing and directing the winners were Issa Rae, Barry Jenkins, Kenny Leon, Davita Scarlett, Abdul Williams, Bashir Salahuddin, and Shaka King. And top performances in television and film included Colin in Black & White, Queen Sugar, and Encanto.
Seven-time NAACP Image Awards winner Anthony Anderson hosted the show and opened with a taped piece of him and a team working on sketches for the show. They discussed Versus Battles with a Black History focus. Chris Rock Versus Dave Chapelle. Comedian Jay Pharoah played both Chris and Dave in the battle. Anthony was called during this session and told there was no time to do sketches and the ideas were scrapped.
Anthony took the stage with a wall of viral remote nominees. Anthony said his monologue was “the State of the Union for the Black House.” His mother joined him. She was sitting on stage left. He said he just brought her out to say hi to the people.
He congratulated Supreme Court Justice Nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.
But he also said, “We are already 7 minutes into the show and Nick Cannon has had two more babies.”
Anthony then introduced Tiffany Haddish from the National Center for Civil and Human Rights with the nominees for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series. The 2020 NAACP Image Award went to Sterling K. Brown. He accepted the award from the viral wall. He thanked the network, all the casts, and the character he plays on the show.
Questlove was next to announce nominees. He presented from the National Jazz Museum in New York. The category Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series. The 2022 NAACP Image Award went to Angela Bassett for 9-1-1. “Thank you for your support tonight and for my entire career.” She thanked the cast and her family.
The 2022 NAACP Chairman’s Award went to Samuel L. Jackson. His incredible career and activism were honored. Samuel Jackson accepted his award on video. He discussed the Voting Rights Act and getting out to vote. “Use your voice, your legs, and your body.” “Thank you again.”
Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series was the next category. The nominees were Issa Rae, Loretta Devine, Regina Hall, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Yvonne Orji. The 2022 NAACP Image Award went to Issa Rae for Insecure. Anthony accepted her award.
Michael Strahan was the next presenter. His category was Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series. The 2022 NAACP Image Award went to Anthony Anderson for Black-ish. He and his mother celebrated on stage. “I want to thank my mama for sleeping with my daddy and making me.” His mother said, “About time you all got it right.” Anthony has won for the last eight years.
The Social Justice Impact Award was presented by Kerry Washington. This year’s honoree is Nikole Hannah Jones creator of The 1619 Project. Kerry Washington presented the award to Ms. Jones live on the stage. She thanked the NAACP and “The decades-long efforts of the NAACP.” She spoke about the banning of books taking place today, “An attack on books is an attack on democracy.”
Anthony paused to honor Jackie Robinson, his career, and his sacrifice.
The next category was Outstanding Comedy Series introduced by Paula Patton. The nominees were Black-ish, Harlem, Insecure, Run the World, and The Upshaws. The 2022 NAACP Image Award went to Insecure. Issa Rae came on stage to accept this award. She did not personally accept her win for Outstanding Comedy Actress, and Anthony said, “Oh, you come out for this one.”
Mary J. Bling performed Good Morning Gorgeous and Love No Limit.
The President’s Award went to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were awarded the NAACP President’s Award in “recognition of special achievement and distinguished public service.” They accepted the prestigious award live, together on stage. Meghan said, “We are so deeply humbled to be here.” Harry said, “We share a life of service.” “We are proud to partner with the NAACP.” Meghan also said her mom was there with them.
The In Memoriam segment honored the talent we lost in the past year. So many. RIP.
The nominees for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture were presented by LL Cool J. The 2022 NAACP Image Award went to Jennifer Judson for Respect. “I did!” Jennifer came on stage to accept the award. She thanked the women in her category and said she did not expect this win at all. “Thank You! I love you all.”
Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture was next. The 2022 NAACP Image Award went to Will Smith for King Richard. Will Smith accepted the award live on video. Will said this story hit him deeply. Anthony interrupted his speech, but Will didn’t mind as he laughed and said thank you and goodbye.
Zendaya presented the nominees for Outstanding Motion Picture. The nominees were Judas and the Black Messiah, King Richard, Respect, The Harder They Fall, and The United States vs. Billie Holiday. The Harder They Fall took the honors.
Morgan Freeman presented The Entertainer of the Year Award. The nominees were Jennifer Hudson, Lil Nas X, Megan Thee Stallion, Regina King, and Tiffany Haddish. The 2022 NAACP Image Award went to Jennifer Hudson. Jennifer came back to the stage to accept the award. “I want to cry.” “It’s because of the Aretha’s, the Patti LaBelle’s, all of these legends that inspired me.”
Anthony’s mother ran back on stage, took over, closed the show, and said good night.
Congratulations to all of the 2022 NAACP Image Award winners!
Tanya Hart
AURN.Com Hollywood Live
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