Oscar Nomination

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.

Rihanna Confirmed To Perform At The Oscars

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2023 is proving as a hot revival year for Rihanna, who is confirmed to perform in this year’s Oscars. “Lift Me Up,” which was of Riri’s rare releases since her 2016 Anti album, will be performed live. The track was released on the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack, which also features Stormzy, Tobe Nwigwe, and CKay. This soft and soulful ballad is also up for the Best Original Song award this year. Variety reports that this nomination marks the Barbadian singer’s first Oscars recognition.

Just earlier this month, Rihanna stunned fans with her Super Bowl halftime performance. Her energetic show relived the hype of the most recognizable hits of her career. Songs like “Rude Boy,” “Work,” and “Wild Thoughts” all lit up at the State Farm Stadium in Arizona. To top off her highly-anticipated performance, Rihanna confirmed her second pregnancy with rapper A$AP Rocky.

Rihanna Nominated For Her First Oscars With “Lift Me Up”

The 95th Academy Award ceremony will take place on March 12th this year, and the other nominations have already caused a stir amongst audiences. Although Black Panther: Wakanda Forever didn’t make it as a contender for Best Picture, Angela Bassett is nominated for her supporting role in the film. Additionally, Ruth Carter is up for her hair and makeup for the movie, while the visual effects team has received a nomination as well. In 2019, the prequel to Wakanda Forever ended up claiming three Oscars, including the Best Original Song award.

Last year, the Academy Awards made headlines for the controversial feud between host Chris Rock and Will Smith. The infamous slap that ensued has reportedly caused the award ceremony to enact a crisis team this year. With Jimmy Kimmel hosting the show this year, Bill Kramer, the CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences reflected on his plan to combat any turbulence. He told Time Magazine, “it is our hope that we will be prepared for anything that we may not anticipate right now but that we’re planning for just in case it does happen.” For more news on pop culture and hip hop, don’t miss out on HNHH.

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