Angela Bassett is a Hollywood heavyweight, but has never won an Oscar Award. The actress has been a powerhouse on our screens since the early ’90s and has portrayed some of the most iconic black matriarchs of all time, both fictional and non-fictional. Following the passing of Chadwick Boseman, many wondered who would be brought in to lead the Black Panther franchise, but Bassett stepped right into the forefront with a powerful performance that many are deeming Oscar-worthy. Buzzfeed recently compiled a list of reason’s the actress will finally land her first Academy Award.
Its time to give Ms. Angela Bassett her Oscar 🏆
— DC5⭐️ (@BLKStudentNurse) November 27, 2022
Motha done played Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King, Tina Turner, Betty Shabazz, and Voletta Wallace. She got her groove back, took Miles to court for everything, and even gave birth to the king of Wakanda and still no OSCAR😮💨 pic.twitter.com/NGtGei9Uj6
Angela Bassett first rose to fame after starring in the Tina Turner biopic What’s Love Got to Do With It. The film shed light on Tina’s traumatic relationship with Ike Turner and how she defied the odds to become one of the biggest stars in the world in her 40s. Bassett was a shoo-in to win Best Actress that year at the Oscars, and while several other award shows honored her performance, she did not win an Oscar.
In the decades since, Bassett has continued to hone her craft, portraying powerful women like Betty Shabazz, Katherine Jackson, Rosa Parks, Michelle Obama, Coretta Scott King, and the fictional queen of Wakanda, Ramonda. She’s scored 88 nominations throughout her career but has only been up for an Oscar once for playing Tina.
As Queen Ramonda, Angela had the tough task of helping carry grieving fans through the passing of King T’Challa in the film, which mirrored the real-life death of Chadwick Boseman. She also had to step up as the leader of Wakanda, a nation whose resources were being sought out by the world and the films antagonist Namor. She delivered rousing speeches on grief and leadership, which brought everyone to tears. She also makes a pivotal sacrifice in the film that allows for its official lead, Letitia Wright, to step front and center.
Mark my unnecessary “BuzzFeed speak.” Angela Bassett will absolutely make history as the first MCU actor to win an Academy Award for her incredible performance in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. https://t.co/h4Kr6Q7Brx
— BuzzFeed (@BuzzFeed) November 27, 2022
Many are excited to see Angela get her flowers for this role and believe the 2023 Academy Awards will honor her after she was “robbed” for playing Tina Turner. “It’s time to give Ms. Angela Bassett her Oscar,” tweeted one fan. Others took the opportunity to celebrate Angela yesterday, which was also Tina Turner’s birthday. “In honor of Tina Turner’s birthday and Angela Bassett’s ongoing Oscar campaign for Black Panther: Wakanda forever, here’s the two of them behind the scenes for what’s love got to do with it (1993).”
In addition to What’s Love Got To Do With It, Angela Bassett has had many iconic roles throughout her 40 year career in acting. Despite never winning an Academy Award, the actress has received a Golden Globe and Seven NAACP Awards. Despite all of the buzz, the Academy does not begin voting until January 12, 2023. The nominations will be announced on January 24, 2023 with the final voting taking place from March 2, 2023 to March 7, 2023.
The 95th Oscars will take place on Sunday, March 12, 2023
