I have often said that black actors, especially black actresses, are not rated at all. This time, I come with receipts.
When it comes to Hollywood, talent within the black community has struggled to receive the same opportunities and representation as non-black folks. It is not surprising that black female actresses do not get the recognition they deserve.
It wasn’t too long ago that the social media movement #OscarsSoWhite shamed the Academy Awards for only having white actors nominated in the acting categories in 2016.
Unfortunately, not much has changed since then.
Let’s start with Angela Bassett
Angela Bassett had a shining moment as she accepted her first-ever Emmy after nine nominations throughout her career and 22 years since her first nomination in 2002, winning for her narration of National Geographic’s docuseries “Queens.” Although this is a win for her and black actresses in general, one cannot deny that Bassett had to wait many long years before getting the recognition she deserved. With a career spanning over four decades, she has consistently delivered powerful and captivating performances on screen. Bassett has also excelled in various genres, including drama, comedy, horror, and action.
The most recent testament is Bassett’s snub at the 2023 Oscars. A poignant moment was captured on camera when she lost the Best Supporting Actress award.
Despite her remarkable portrayal of Queen Ramonda in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” Bassett was denied the recognition she deserved, a disappointing outcome for an actress with over two decades of contributions to the industry. The 65-year-old beautifully played the emotional role of T’Challa’s mother in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” which earned five nominations.
She masterfully conveyed the character’s grief following the death of her son while also showcasing strength and leadership as she navigated challenges. Her chemistry with co-stars Letitia Wright and Danai Gurira felt authentic, and her general performance was outstanding as it highlighted deep cultural significance and women’s empowerment. Despite earning an Academy Award nomination for her standout performance, the 2023 Oscar for Best Supporting Actress went to Jamie Lee Curtis for “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”
Her sole previous Oscar nod was for her portrayal of legendary soul singer Tina Turner in the 1993 Brian Gibson-directed “What’s Love Got to Do with It.” Her masterful depiction of the Queen of Rock earned her a nomination for Best Actress at the 1994 Oscars. Although Bassett’s impressive portrayal was recognised, she ultimately lost the award to Holly Hunter for her role in “The Piano”.
Viola Davis
In 2022, Davis delivered a stellar performance in the blockbuster “The Woman King” as a fearsome warrior who believes emotion is weakness, yet her character is far from apathetic. Besides her outstanding performance, which received rave reviews, she pulled off the most impressive sword-fighting scenes and stunts.
A legendary actress and a recent EGOT winner, Davis’ performance as Nanisca had many thinking she could be an Oscar frontrunner, yet she failed to get a nomination in 2022. The actress was also snubbed at the Golden Globes for the same movie despite her performance being widely praised and considered one of the best of that year.
The most appalling snub was for her captivating portrayal of Deloris Jordan, Michael Jordan’s mother, in the 2023 film “Air.” Hand-selected by the basketball legend himself, Davis delivered an exceptional performance that resulted in Rolling Stone dubbing her the “MVP” of the movie. It was astonishing to see her overlooked for a Golden Globe nomination, particularly when the film received recognition for Best Musical or Comedy Film, and Matt Damon earned a nod for Best Actor for the same movie, making it the second year in a row that the Globes inexcusably snubbed Davis.
Taraji P. Henson
Since her first lead role in Tyler Perry’s “I Can Do Bad All By Myself” in 2009, Henson has consistently demonstrated her impressive range and versatility as an actress throughout her career. I will never stop being captivated by her impeccable performance in “Hidden Figures,” which also starred Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae. As exceptional as she was in these movies, she received no Oscar nominations for her performance.
Before that, she was already making waves in the industry with how well she embodied Cookie in “Empire,” her role in “Baby Boy,” where she played “Yvette,” and her role in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” which scored her first Oscar nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, which she won.
However, in her memoir, “Around the Way Girl,” Henson reveals that even her career-defining role as Queenie in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” didn’t quite live up to her expectations regarding compensation. In the book, Henson shares that despite the role’s high profile, she was paid a surprisingly meagre amount, likening it to “the equivalent of sofa change,” a far cry from the financial windfall she had anticipated.
Her most recent Oscar-worthy performance was in The Color Purple (2023) as “Shug Avery.” Her performance as a sultry and strong-willed woman was a pivotal character in the story, serving as a catalyst for growth and self-discovery. Henson’s portrayal brought depth and nuance to the role, and her powerful vocals shone in the musical numbers, but she was not nominated for the Oscars. Speaking on the snub, Henson says:
“I didn’t come to Hollywood to chase after awards. I came to Hollywood to chase after people’s hearts and change people’s minds and perceptions about groups of people that look like me. That’s what’s more important to me than anything.”
Although Henson does an incredible job at inspiring other actresses of colour and people in general, she should not have to settle for just words of praise; she should get the credit she deserves for the years she has put into her craft, including awards.
Lupita Nyong’o
Nyong’Nyong’o’s incredible performances as a mother and her terrifying doppelgänger in “Us” earned her critical acclaim throughout the 2019 awards season, but sadly, she did not earn an Oscar nomination.
Even though she stunned with her dedication and outstanding portrayal of Red and Adelaide, two fundamentally different characters, she wasn’t one of the 2020 Oscar nominees for best actress. Reacting to the snub, the actress told BuzzFeed News that there’s a lot of work to do before actors of colour are treated equally at award shows.
Will Black actresses ever get the recognition they deserve?
The question echoes a lingering concern in the entertainment industry, and the uncertainty is jarring. Without undermining the work and resources put in by actors of other races, award shows need to reflect the diversity and talent of all actors and actresses, regardless of their backgrounds.
By recognising the contributions of underrepresented groups, award shows can truly showcase the richness of talent in the industry as a step towards creating a more inclusive and equitable environment for everyone.
