By Aaron Couch, Arlene Washington, The Hollywood Reporter
"12 Years a Slave" wins for motion picture, while Lupita Nyong’o, Kerry Washington and "Scandal" also take home honors.
12 Years a Slave took top honors at the 45th annual NAACP Image Awards, where Kevin Hart was named entertainer of the year.
Lupita Nyong’o took home the first honor of the telecast for her work in 12 Years a Slave. Steve McQueen won top directing honors and John Ridley took home writing honors for the slavery drama. Nyong’o praised Oprah Winfrey, whom she beat out for the supporting actress award, calling it "a deep, deep honor to be holding this trophy."
Angela Bassett took outstanding motion picture actress for Black Nativity, and Forest Whitaker won outstanding motion picture actor for Lee Daniels’ The Butler.
"I have so much admiration for the NAACP and what they’ve done, what they’ve accomplished and how they’ve changed this planet," an emotional Whitaker told The Hollywood Reporter after his win.
On the television side, LL Cool J won outstanding actor in a drama series for CBS’ NCIS: Los Angeles and Kerry Washington won outstanding drama series actress for ABC’s Scandal, which also took outstanding drama series. BET’s Real Husbands of Hollywood won outstanding comedy series, with the show’s Kevin Hart winning acting honors.
Winfrey delivered a heartfelt tribute to late South African President Nelson Mandela midway through the ceremony.
"He was everything we have all have heard and more. He was humble and he was unscathed by any kind of bitterness after all that we know he’s been through," Winfrey said. Her remarks were followed by a musical tribute by Stevie Wonder.
David Oyelowo, who won a supporting actor award for The Butler, said this year’s field of African-American centered films was incredibly strong.
"To have films like The Butler, 12 Years a Slave, Fruitvale Station and Mandela — all that have black protagonists with no white savior character holding their hand through the movie is a huge stride forward," he told THR.
Ahead of the ceremony, Fruitvale Station took the indie film honor. Beyonce took outstanding female artist, while John Legend won outstanding male artist. Idris Elba was honored for his work in BBC America’s Luther.
Anthony Anderson hosted the ceremony, which aired live on TV One.
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Shalini Dore, Variety.com
Kevin Hart was named Entertainer of the Year while “12 Years a Slave” racked up another four awards including for motion picture at the NAACP Image Awards, which were held Saturday at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.
Hart said he was a “real mama’s boy” and dedicated his prize to his mother, who recently passed away.
Helmer Steve McQueen and writer John Ridley won kudos for “12 Years” during a non-televised portion of the show Friday, while supporting actress Lupita Nyong’o said she was honored to win for a film ”that has inspired discourse long overdue.”
Forest Whitaker and David Oyelowo were honored for their roles in “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” and Angela Bassett won the lead actress prize for “Black Nativity.” Whitaker was also honored with the NAACP Chairman’s Award. “I’m one of those with a funny accent and an African name,” Oyelowo referencing emcee Anthony Anderson’s earlier jokes about Brit actors with their accents and African names in his speech who cross the Pond to grab roles in Hollywood.
Meanwhile, Whitaker quoted a song from Nat King Cole, “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is to love and be loved.”
On the television side, Hart and his BET show “Real Husbands of Hollywood” were honored for comedy, while Kerry Washington, Joe Morton and ABC’s “Scandal” picked up three awards for drama. Since showrunner Shonda Rhimes was unable to attend, Washington accepted the “Scandal” award. In her own acceptance speech, Washington said, “The historic nature of this role is due not to lack of talent, but lack of opportunity.”
The NAACP Image Awards were broadcast live on TV One and hosted by Anthony Anderson. Academy prexy Cheryl Boone Isaacs and DGA prexy Paris Barclay were inducted into the Image Awards Hall of Fame. Both are the first African-American presidents of their respective organizations. Barclay referenced his upbringing saying, “I’m the first in a long line of factory workers.”
Boone Isaacs said the Acad invited more women and minority this year than it ever has. “We still have a lot of work to do. I look forward to it,” she said to applause.
Oprah Winfrey led a tribute to Nelson Mandela and Stevie Wonder performed.
Winfrey gave a moving speech about meeting Mandela and wondering what she would say to him. “Why don’t you listen,” was the advice she was given. “What can I take to Nelson Mandela, I can’t take a candle,” she added. “So I built a school in his name.”
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