In a dazzling affair at the 14th Annual Governors Awards, Angela Bassett, celebrated for her roles, including “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” took center stage as she was honored with an honorary Oscar.
The glitzy event on Tuesday, Jan. 9, witnessed Bassett gracing the red carpet in a stunning Dolce & Gabbana dress adorned with crystals from head to toe.
Regina King, Bassett’s co-star from “How Stella Got Her Groove Back,” had the distinct honor of introducing Angela Bassett for the prestigious award.
With a beaming smile, King referred to Bassett as a “national treasure” and expressed admiration for her extensive career, spanning over 100 roles across big and small screens.
In a playful moment, Regina King, after listing some of Angela Bassett’s iconic roles, playfully suggested that the esteemed actress should consider running for President.
“I’m down with it!” exclaimed King, eliciting laughter from the audience.
Moved by King’s heartfelt introduction, Angela Bassett took the stage, warmly embracing Regina King and sealing the moment with a kiss on the lips.
Onstage, Bassett expressed gratitude, saying:
“Regina, my dear, dear Regina. My sister, thank you for being here tonight as a source of support and encouragement and joy. Working alongside you has been one of the highlights of my career. You are for me, and for so many, a bright, bright light. Thank you!”
This tender exchange has set social media ablaze, sparking criticism on various social media platforms.
One social media commentator expressed the following:
“Angela Bassett finally won an Oscars but it was honorary. What does that even mean? And the strangest thing is what people are calling the initiation ritual that was done at the Oscars[ referring to the kiss]. Not to mention that some people also said Regina was dressed like a man.”
Another critic commented in a short video as follows:
“I wanna say first and foremost that I have nothing against the LGBTQ community. But this right here [Angela kissing Regina] really bothers me. For one because these are two heterosexual females from what we know, one of them being married. If she is a Lesbian woman, who cares? But these are not supposed to be Lesbian women…[Regina] is on this big stage and kissing her [Angela] in the mouth, is inappropriate.”
Meanwhile, acknowledging the significance of the honorary Oscar, Bassett reflected on her legacy and paid tribute to Cicely Tyson, the trailblazing Black actress who had previously received the same honor.
“I thought long and hard about what I’d say tonight,” shared Bassett. “This is not just another award. It’s a testament to my legacy. This trophy represents my contributions to this medium of film, all that I’ve given of my mind, body and spirit as an actress who is a Black woman.”
The electrifying evening not only celebrated Angela Bassett’s remarkable career but also became an unforgettable moment etched in the digital realm.
