angela bassett

Angela Bassett Explains Why She Had No Movies In 1994

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Angela Bassett had been nominated for the Oscars for the first time in 1993 for the movie What’s Love Got to Do with It. Sadly, she did not win it that time, either. However, she disappeared from the industry until 1995. For years, her fans did not know what had happened during that missing time. They assumed that there was just nothing that had grabbed her interest, after being nominated. However, Bassett has now told us what she was doing.

In an interview reposted by The Jasmine Brand, Bassett explains that the reason she did not appear in any movies for 18 months was not that she was waiting for a lead role or anything. There were just no roles being offered to her. Bassett was not worried about being the lead. Eventually, her next role did show up in May of 1995’s Panther. Afterward, she would continue on to do 3 more movies that year, and do at least 1 movie a year up to the present day. Her most recently released movie is Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Where Did Bassett’s Roles Go?

Interestingly, Laurence Fishburne, who was also nominated for the same movie, appears to have been in the same predicament. He did not get another film role until 1995’s Higher Learning. However, it was not as bad for him as it was for Bassett, since he spent the time working on his play, Riff Raff. In addition, Higher Learning, was released in January of 1995, so he was working throughout November-December of 1994.

Hollywood did not decide to just not make black movies for a year. There were a couple, just not very many. The few that were made also generally did not have small budgets. It literally was just a case of there not being enough movies being made for everyone, so the casting directors had free reign to select whoever, and Angela Bassett was just unlucky at being chosen. It also does not help that the majority of her movies at the time were dramas. The only black drama that came out that year was Jason’s Lyric, an erotic romantic drama with a low budget. They would have assumed that Bassett would not accept the role for either of those cases.

Angela Bassett’s Oscars Snubs Have SZA Feeling Some Type Of Way

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The many celebrities who took home an Academy Award on Sunday (March 12) night were surely happy with their win. Still, that obviously doesn’t mean the rest of the world was as enthused for them. Each and every ceremony brings with it a collection of snubs – prizes given to nominees who arguably deserve them less than their contemporaries, usually for reasons related to race and socioeconomic background. This year, it seems as though the internet is most enraged about Angela Bassett’s loss after her emotional performance in Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

The 64-year-old was up against Hong Chau (The Whale), Kerry Condon (The Banshees of Inisherin), Jamie Lee Curtis, and Stephanie Hsu – the latter two starring in Everything Everywhere All at Once – in the Best Supporting Actress category. Ultimately, it was the Freaky Friday actress who took home the Oscar, and cameras caught an obviously upset expression on Bassett’s face when the news was announced.

Angela Bassett Loses “Best Supporting Actress” to Jamie Lee Curtis

Angela Bassett attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards on March 12, 2023, in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)

In the hours since the Academy Awards aired, thousands have tweets have been shared, expressing frustration over Bassett’s loss. Fans of the American Horror Story starlet have been actively rooting for her to win, especially considering she’s been snubbed before in the past. Days before the ceremony took place, SZA ranted about the Hollywood icon’s lack of recognition on her Twitter page. “Realizing Angela Bassett doesn’t already have an Oscar [makes] me wanna knock shit over,” she said.

Many other users have made it clear they feel the same way as the Ctrl singer. “Literally it’s sick asf,” someone replied to SZA’s post. “Everyone who voted for Jamie Lee Curtis over Angela Bassett and Stephanie Hsu needs to sleep with one eye open,” another person joked. Keep scrolling to read more social media reactions to last night’s Oscars snub, and check out the full list of 2023 winners here.

SZA Isn’t Happy, Neither Are Many Twitter Users

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Angela Bassett Loses Oscar To Jamie Lee Curtis: Twitter Reacts

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Plenty of fans showed support for Angela Bassett on social media after she lost the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress at the 95th Academy Awards on Sunday night. She had been nominated for her role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, but lost out to Jamie Lee Curtis, who appeared in the Best Picture winner, Everything Everywhere All at Once.

“Just because she’s an actor doesn’t mean she always has to act. We can be disappointed for Angela Bassett & happy for JLC, those 2 things can exist. But, Angela Bassett gets to feel the way she feels. This system is broken. Her reaction is about that,” one user wrote. Another added: “Good for Angela Bassett not smiling nor clapping. Y’all expect Black women to not only be exceptional, but be happy for other who get accolades we deserve over and over.”

Angela Bassett On The Red Carpet

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Angela Bassett attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)

Michael B. Jordan and Jonathan Majors also took a moment to praise Bassett after her loss. While taking the stage to present the award for Best Cinematography, Jordan said, “Hey auntie,” while Majors added, “We love you.”

Sunday isn’t the first time that Bassett has lost an Oscar. She was previously nominated for Best Actress after playing the music icon Tina Turner in the 1993 biopic What’s Love Got To Do With It. “In the moment … you’re hoping, and praying, and wishing, but I don’t walk away thinking ‘I’ve been robbed,’” Bassett told CBS Mornings about that loss. “That’s too negative of an emotion to carry with me for the rest of my life.”

All-in-all, Everything Everywhere All at Once ended up notching acting awards for Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, and Jamie Lee Curtis. It also won Best Director and Best Original Screenplay in addition to Best Picture. For the full list of winners and nominees from the night, head here. You can also check out more reactions to Bassett’s loss below.

Reactions On Twitter

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Michael B. Jordan & Jonathan Majors Show Love To Angela Bassett After Oscars Loss

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The anticipation was building over the weekend as the Oscars took over, and eyes were on Angela Bassett. Despite having a career that spawned several blockbuster hits, the acclaimed actress has yet to receive an Academy Award honor. Her inclusion in the Black Panther franchise has earned her more praise, and her supporters hoped that this year, she would take home the gold. However, Bassett lost out on Best Supporting Actress to Jamie Lee Curtis for Everybody Everywhere All At Once. The Waiting to Exhale icon’s reaction took over timelines as screenshots of a disappointed look were shared far and wide.

As the internet is in the thick of eating Bassett’s loss, many noted that two actors made sure to pay homage. This would have been Bassett’s first Oscar had she won, and she was clearly ready for her big moment. Creed III stars Michael B. Jordan and Jonathan Majors appeared on the Oscars stage to present the award for Best Cinematography after Bassett’s loss. Their ties with Bassett ran deep, so they took a moment to acknowledge her in front of her Hollywood peers.

Angela Bassett Honored By Jordan & Majors

Before they even looked at the teleprompter, Jordan and Majors focused on Bassett. “Hey, Auntie,” said Jordan, who co-starred in the Black Panther franchise with the actress. Those two words were the same that his character, Erik Killmonger, uttered to Queen Ramonda, portrayed by Bassett. “We love you,” said Majors, who co-starred in Lovecraft Country with Bassett’s husband, Courtney B. Vance. Additionally, both Majors and Bassett graduated from the Yale School of Drama.

Her Best Supporting Actress nominations this year marked the second nod for Angela Bassett. It was 29 years ago that she received her first nomination for What’s Love Got To Do With It, the Tina Turner biopic that has gone down in film history. Yet, Jamie Lee Curtis’s win marked the first in her career. Curtis has been active in the industry for the entirety of her life, but her on-screen debut was in 1978’s Halloween. Both of Curtis’s parents are Hollywood royalty; her father, Tony Curtis, was an Oscar winner with a career that spanned six decades. Her mother, Janet Leigh, is most remembered as the lead role in Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller, Psycho.

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Angela Bassett Trends On Twitter As Users Anticipate Oscars Win

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Angela Bassett became a Twitter trend as users anticipate her Oscars win for her role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Moreover, many fans online really want her to win the Best Supporting Actress award, especially after she won the Golden Globe. In fact, it’s quite the stacked year with a lot of stellar performances and great films to watch. Furthermore, the other nominees in this category are Kerry Condon, Jamie Lee Curtis, Stephanie Tsu, and Hong Chau. Overall, Bassett was already nominated for an Oscar before, but this might just be the year.

In other awards show news, Bassett recently accepted the award for Entertainer of the Year at the NAACP Image Awards. During her acceptance speech, she referenced a highly criticized performance from Ariana DeBose during the BAFTA Awards where she rapped about the female nominees. “I guess Angela Bassett did the thing,” she joked referencing DeBose’s bit. Earlier that night, she said she actually DM’d DeBose to check in on her after people clowned her. Queen Ramonda is as gracious and kind off-screen as she is on.

“I DM’d her last night,” she told Variety on the red carpet. “I did. It was beautiful. I just wanted to make sure she was OK because, you know, it’s a lot of attention. And she is A-OK.” She continued her thoughts during an Extra red carpet interview at the SAG Awards. “I saw her that night, and I gave her a big hug,” the 64-year-old revealed. “She, my daughter, and I have pictures together. So, we were really thrilled. And then, when I saw [the performance] come out and really take flight, I DM’d her. I said, ‘I hope you’re not at all bothered by the attention we’re generating, my dear, because you’re fierce, and I adore you.’”

“We love how everyone is having fun with it now!” she added. “Just having fun.” Now, it seems like all those people that went crazy over DeBose’s display seem to be concentrating their viral energies into manifesting an Academy Award for the acclaimed actress. Regardless, come back to HNHH for the latest news and updates from the Oscars and Angela Bassett.

Angela Bassett DMed Ariana DeBose “You’re Fierce & I Love You” After BAFTA Trolling

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If you’re questioning what “the thing” is that Angela Bassett apparently “did,” the acclaimed actress is not. The veteran actress’s name has always been in the spotlight as she is applauded from one blockbuster role to another. It’s award season, so Bassett and her Hollywood elite peers gather together to float from one ceremony to the next. The buzz about the Black Panther icon has intensified—but it isn’t just about her skills on the big screen.

At this year’s BAFTA Awards, Ariana DeBose stole the show. The Westside Story star performed a number she helped write and choreograph, but it seemed to fall flat at first glance. DeBose was teased and trolled about her “Angela Bassett did the thing” lyric, among others. She also went viral for days, and the mention wasn’t missed on Bassett. In an interview with Extra TV, the Oscar-winner said she DMed DeBose to ensure she held her head high.

Angela Bassett Reveals Advice To Ariana DeBose

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 26: Angela Bassett attends the 29th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 26, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)

While on the red carpet for the 2023 SAG Awards, Extra caught up with Bassett and asked if she had reached out to DeBose. “I DMed her,” said the actress. “I saw her that night, and I gave her a big hug. She, my daughter, and I have pictures together. So, we were really thrilled. And then, when I saw [the performance] come out and really take flight, I DMed her. I said, ‘I hope you’re not at all bothered by the attention we’re generating, my dear, because you’re fierce, and I adore you.”

All anyone would need is a co-sign from Angela Bassett to get them out of viral funk. Now that many of the trolls have been silenced, Bassett is thrilled to see people being more playful, than cruel. “We love how everyone is having fun with it now!” she added. “Just having fun.” We’re sure we’ll be hearing about “the thing” for weeks to come.

Ariana DeBose Speaks About Viral Controversy

While on BBC Radio 2’s The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show, DeBose addressed going viral. “Honestly, it’s not like I’m like, ‘Hey BAFTA, let me in!’” the Oscar-winner said. “They actually called me, believe it or not. But that was the assignment. Like, ‘Come celebrate women,’ and I was like, ‘Absolutely!’ We did that, and it was fun. Not gonna lie, I had a blast.”

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Angela Bassett References Ariana DeBose With NAACP Image Awards Speech

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Angela Bassett gave a shoutout to Ariana DeBose while accepting the award for Entertainer Of The Year at the 54th Annual NAACP Image Awards on Saturday night in Pasadena, California. DeBose went viral for her heavily criticized performance at the British Academy Film Awards, last week. “I guess Angela Bassett did the thing,” Bassett joked on stage, imitating DeBose’s performance.

Earlier in the night, Bassett revealed that she reached out to DeBose after the BAFTAs to check in on her. “I DM’d her last night. I did. It was beautiful,” she told Variety on the red carpet. “I just wanted to make sure she was OK because, you know, it’s a lot of attention. And she is A-OK.” DeBose deleted her Twitter account in response to the trolling over her performance.

Angela Bassett At The NAACP Image Awards

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 25: Angela Bassett arrives to the 54th Annual NAACP Image Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 25, 2023 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)

DeBose opened up about her feelings about the performance for the first time during an appearance on Zoe Ball’s BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show. She explained that she wanted to celebrate women. “Honestly, it’s not like I’m like, ‘Hey BAFTA, let me in!’ They actually called me, believe it or not,” DeBose said. “But that was the assignment. Like, ‘Come celebrate women,’ and I was like, ‘Absolutely!’ We did that and it was fun. Not gonna lie, I had a blast. [It was] so awesome, and then I spent the rest of the night, you know, cutting a rug. Which, is that something you say here? Cutting a rug with Emma Thompson. It was fabulous. I had a great time.”

According to DeBose, Bassett isn’t the only person who has supported her. Further speaking with Zoe Ball, DeBose revealed that Baz Luhrmann told her he enjoyed it. “He was like, ‘No, I think you’re great, that was fun. I had fun.’ And I was like, ‘work,’ ” she said. “That’s a win, you guys. And apparently, gay Twitter seemed to like it? So that’s good, I’ll take it. I told you, my people.”

The Acceptance Speech

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Ariana DeBose Seems To Be Fine With People (Like Lizzo) Joking About Her BAFTAs Rap

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Ariana DeBose
BAFTA

Last weekend, Ariana DeBose thought she was doing something nice. The Oscar-winning actress and singer performed the opening song at this year’s BAFTA awards, the U.K.’s answer to the Oscars. Alas, a portion of her performance in which she raps about all the nominated actresses went viral in an unintended way, with people dragging such lines as “Angela Bassett did the thing.” Initially it seemed DeBose wasn’t taking the attention well, even deactivating her Twitter account. But in a recent Instagram post, it seems she’s cool with all the jokes.

On Thursday during a performance in Amsterdam, Lizzo paid cheeky homage to DeBose’s performance, slipping in the line “Angela Bassett did the thing” into one of her songs. The moment went viral, and it did not escape DeBose’s attention. She reposted video of Lizzo’s bit, with some good-natured words. “The internet is wild y’all!” DeBose wrote. “Appreciate all the love.”

DeBose’s star has ascended ever since she appeared in Steven Spielberg’s film version of West Side Story, in which she played Anita. Her turn nabbed her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, just as Rita Moreno won for the same role some 60 years prior.

Speaking of Oscars, Bassett is nominated for the same award but for Black Panther: Wakanda. She won a Golden Globe for her performance last month.

(Via The Hollywood Reporter)

Angela Bassett Is Proud Of Son For Apologizing Over Michael B. Jordan Death Hoax

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A new TikTok trend has killed off many of your favorite very-alive celebrities, and Angela Bassett, unfortunately, was caught in the chaos. There are several trends on the popular app that gain worldwide attention, but when people began killing off the rich and famous, some people didn’t appreciate the viral moment. Recently, we reported on Angela Bassett’s 16-year-old son Slater getting caught up in the trend. It resulted in his tearful apology after tricking his mother into believing Michael B. Jordan had died.

As we recall, Bassett and Jordan famously starred together in the Black Panther films. Slater filmed his mother’s shocked reaction to learning that someone she considered family was allegedly no longer alive.

Read More: Angela Bassett’s Son Apologizes For Michael B. Jordan Death Prank

When it was revealed that Slater was pranking the Waiting to Exhale icon, he soon returned with an apology video.

“I apologize to Michael B. Jordan’s entire family, his extended family, and him directly as he is an idol of mine,” Slater said in his clip. “Taking part in a trend like this is completely disrespectful. I don’t wish any bad ramifications upon his family nor my parents, as they deserve none of the backlash.”

While at the Palm Springs International Film Festival’s Creative Impact Awards, Entertainment Tonight spoke with the actress about the controversy. It seems as if it’s something that she’s also ready to put behind her and her family.

“We all make mistakes, own up to them, take responsibility. Then hold your head up and move forward,” Bassett said.

Read More: Angela Bassett Details Chilling Experience Playing Tina Turner

Meanwhile, although Jordan hasn’t said a peep about the Bassett controversy, he does have big plans on the horizon. It was announced last week that on January 28, he would act as the host of Saturday Night Live. The musical guest for that episode will be none other than Lil Baby.

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Angela Bassett’s Son Apologizes For Michael B. Jordan Death Prank

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Angela Bassett’s 16-year-old son, Slater Vance, has apologized after playing into a prank about the death of Michael B. Jordan. In a TikTok video, Slater told his parents that the iconic actor passed away.

For the trending prank, someone pretends that a famous celebrity has died and records the reaction of the person they’re telling. In Slater’s clip, Bassett clutches at her chest in response, while his father, Courtney B. Vance, refuses to believe the news.

HOLLYWOOD, CA – JANUARY 29: Slater Vance, Angela Bassett, Bronwyn Vance and Courtney B. Vance attend the Premiere Of Disney And Marvel’s “Black Panther” – Arrivals on January 29, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

Slater later shared an apology for the insensitive TikTok.

“I apologize to Michael B. Jordan’s entire family, his extended family, and him directly as he is an idol of mine,” Slater said. “Taking part in a trend like this is completely disrespectful. I don’t wish any bad ramifications upon his family nor my parents as they deserve none of the backlash.”

Slater added: “I own this was a mistake. I hope this can be a teaching lesson to anyone who uses social media as a tool and a source of entertainment to truly understand that your actions can have consequences that extend beyond you.”

Bassett recently starred alongside Jordan in both Black Panther and its sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Finneas, brother of Billie Eilish, called on his young followers to stop the trend.

“I haven’t laughed once at any of your videos of you telling your parents somebody died when they didn’t actually die,” Finneas said in his own video, before adding, “Your parents are showing vulnerability for a brief second and you’re laughing at them.”

Check out Slater’s apology video below.

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