*A torrential rainstorm didn’t stop the stars from attending the 54th annual NAACP Image Awards in Pasadena, California. Hosted by Queen Latifah, the night featured A-List talent, including Serena Williams, Zendaya, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Issa Rae, Janelle Monae, Viola Davis, Dwyane Wade, Gabrielle Union, Jonathan Majors, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and Entertainer of the Year winner Angela Bassett.
EURweb was on the red carpet and got live reactions from some of the winners!
“Outstanding social media Personality of the Year” winner Kev-On-Stage shared that being around winners like Sheryl Lee Ralph and Quinta Brunson felt good. However, he also wanted to know if his win meant he could sit with them now.
Backstage, Gabrielle Union revealed that her father had been recently hospitalized. As a result, she contemplated sending her husband, former NBA star Dwyane Wade, alone to accept “The President’s Award in recognition of special achievement and distinguished public service, for the both of them.
But ultimately, she felt it was important to show up and be present.
“If us speaking out can save one kid, it’s absolutely worth it,” she said. The couple received the award for work done through their “Wade Family Foundation,” which provides relief to marginalized communities in need by helping to advance racial justice and LGBTQ equality.
Wade noted that their platform is important, and they want to use it for good. He said he knows “Other Black fathers will be standing in the same room he was in when his daughter Zaya came home and told him she was transgender. But, he added that he feels he has to share those experiences to help move our community forward.”
“P-Valley” took home the award for Best Drama Series, beating out shows like “Bel-Air,” “Euphoria,” and “Queen Sugar.” Actress Brandee Evans who portrays the fiery “Mercedes” in the series, shared what the night’s theme, “Black and Thriving,” stands for in her life.
“It’s you being your authentic self. You can’t thrive if you’re trying to be somebody else. So be you, and it’s enough,” she said.
“It’s something her series co-star and winner of the “Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series” winner Nicco Annan also believes in. In his acceptance speech, Annan said he was accepting the award for all the 40-plus-year-olds who couldn’t fully embrace who they were.
Other winners of the night included “Abbott Elementary” for “Outstanding Comedy Series,” with Quinta Brunson, Janelle James, and Tyler James Williams winning Outstanding Actress, Outstanding Supporting Actress, and Actor in a comedy series, respectively, and Viola Davis for “Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture.”
Watch our red carpet footage from the magical night via the clip below:
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