Simone Ledward Boseman, the widow of Hollywood actor Chadwick Boseman, accepted his posthumous award for best actor at Sunday’s 26th annual Critics Choice Awards for his performance in the Netflix flick, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.”
“Wow. It has to be said aloud that for those of us who know Chad intimately, personally, professionally, those he taught, those he gave a word of advice, those who taught him — it is so hard to find a celebratory feeling in these moments,” an emotional Simone said fighting back the tears. “As proud as we are of him, yes for his work, but even more just for who he is as a person.”
“But his work deserves this. His work in this film deserves this. He deserves this, and so he would always thank God first and foremost in everything,” she continued. “He would always honor his mother and his father. He would always acknowledge those who came before him, those who charted the path, those who gave him their gifts.”
Boseman passed away last August after a four-year battle with colon cancer. He kept his battle under wraps until his passing.
Simone shared what winning the award would have meant to her husband.
“He may say something about the importance of this story. About the importance of Black voices telling Black stories. He may take this moment to give honor to August Wilson, one of the greatest playwrights of our time. And, as I recently read, societies grow great when all men plant trees in their shade. They know they may never sit, and our society may be a far cry from great, but I know that the seeds you planted will grow into forests. And one day we too will be tall enough to reach the heavens. Thank you, Critics’ Choice and thank you, Chad.”
Last Sunday, Boseman won his first Golden Globe for best actor in a motion picture drama for his role in the movie.
The 26th Annual Critics’ Choice Awards aired live on The CW this Sunday.
