The 49th annual NAACP Image Awards were broadcast live on TVOne Monday, Jan. 15 and all the biggest and brightest in Black Hollywood showed up. Hosted by Anthony Anderson, the program was high on laughs and moments of surprise and delight. Below are the six major moments of the night.
(Photo by Maury Phillips/Getty Images for NAACP )
Jenifer Lewis Drops ‘Black-ish’ Statue
While on stage with the rest of the “Black-ish” cast to accept the award for Outstanding Comedy Series, Jenifer Lewis dropped the statue on stage. As a result, a hush came over the crowd.
“Just like my real mother, can’t take her nowhere!” Lewis’ on-screen son, Anderson, joked afterward.
.@JemeleHill Has A Message From The President #ImageAwards pic.twitter.com/u3SnYpIPMN
— TV One (@tvonetv) January 16, 2018
Jemele Hill Laughs Off Old Political Tweet Drama
In a call back to ESPN suspending her over tweeting that President Donald Trump is racist, Jemele Hill joked that she was tweeting about the NFL. When she later said she thought the president was “doing a great job,” her SportsCenter co-host and fellow presenter Michael Smith asks, “How good of a job is he doing?” But it turns out Hill was talking about NAACP president Derrick Johnson.
#UncleCharlie takes it home! pic.twitter.com/VXE7lDQTb3
— TV One (@tvonetv) January 16, 2018
Charlie Wilson Celebrates 22 Years of Sobriety
While on stage to accept the Music Makes a Difference award for his work helping homeless addicts, Charlie Wilson won praise for surviving homelessness, addiction and achieving success.
“I’m dedicated to using the platform that God gave me to speak for those whose voice is never heard,” he says.
Currently at the @naacpimageaward and @RepMaxineWaters just made an off-camera remark about @realDonaldTrump. @FoxNews pic.twitter.com/n061LW778w
— Gianno Caldwell (@GiannoCaldwell) January 16, 2018
Maxine Waters’ Off-Camera Dig At Donald Trump
“This is my friend and she’s here from New York,” Waters said of the late Erica Garner’s mother, Esaw Garner, during a commercial break. “And we’re fighters and we appreciate Martin Luther King Jr. and all that he’s done but we’re gonna impeach Trump!”
(Photo by Maury Phillips/Getty Images for NAACP )
Daniel Kaluuya Beats Denzel Washington
It’s something not many people can say they’ve done but “Get Out” star Daniel Kaluuya won over veteran Denzel Washinton in the Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture category. The satirical racial thriller didn’t get it’s due at the Golden Globes but the NAACP knows what’s up.
“I don’t think you’re allowed to beat Denzel Washington in acting competitions,” Kaluuya, a British actor said.
(Wikipedia Commons)
The Ceremony Took Place on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
For the first time in the telecast’s history, the NAACP Image Awards took place on MLK Day. It was a fact that was not lost on many of the presenters and honorees of the night, who remarked on the date’s importance.
“Our new air date tonight on Dr. King Day builds upon the show’s great tradition as a night of hope and pride, honoring our history and those that make history,” Anderson said.
Halle Berry later remarked, “We need to take heed to his eloquent words: ‘Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter.’ Today is an affirmation that we will never ever, ever, ever be silent again.”
