Angela Bassett’s response to the news that she would not be receiving an Oscar for her performance in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever earned her a lot of attention on social media after she was passed over for the award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture. Jamie Lee Curtis, who was nominated for an Oscar for the first time ever, was the recipient of the award for her performance in the film Everything, Everywhere, All at Once.
Some viewers were able to empathise with Bassett’s disappointment, but others were critical of her for giving off the impression that she was a “sore loser.” One user of social media mentioned that it would have been wonderful to see women supporting each other, even in the face of disappointment, especially during the month that is dedicated to celebrating women’s history.
However, a large number of people were quick to defend the actress, pointing out that she had waited 30 years for her second Oscar nomination and had earned it for her portrayal of Tina Turner in the film What’s Love Got to Do with It. Others argued that she deserved the nomination because of her performance in the film. Some people theorised that the Academy had a “beef” with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which could have been a factor in Bassett’s failure to win, but others rejected this theory.
In spite of the controversy that her response has sparked, Bassett has remained gracious throughout all of her interviews. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she talked about her part in the film Wakanda Forever, as well as how she overcame her grief following the passing of her co-star Chadwick Boseman while continuing to work in the film industry. Bassett claimed that as an artist, she channelled her suffering into her work in order to shed light on the subject matter for those who viewed it.
The incident has once again brought to the forefront the difficulties that actors and actresses of colour face in the entertainment industry, specifically in Hollywood. In spite of the efforts made by the industry to become more inclusive, opportunities and recognition for people of colour continue to be scarce in the entertainment industry, particularly in Hollywood. However, as demonstrated by Bassett’s response, the universal nature of the aspiration to receive recognition and appreciation for one’s work cannot be denied.