The 44th NAACP Image Awards: A night of big laughs, big stars and big recognition in special achievement

     The 44th NAACP Image Awards held in Los Angeles on Friday were a night of big laughs, big stars and big recognition in achievement. Host Steve Harvey was on hand to deliver the night of witty presenters, big performances, Kerry Washington, and more Kerry Washington! Washington was the big winner of the night, going home with three awards in the Best Actress in a Drama Series, Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, and President's Award (in recognition of special achievement and public services) categories. The night also featured appearances by Halle Berry, Samuel L. Jackson, 9-year-old Oscar-nominated actress Quvenzhané Wallis, Sidney Poitier, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Lamorne Morris and many more, with performances by Gladys Knight, Wyclef Jean and Common.

Kerry Washington wears a gown by Oscar de la Renta to the 44th NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles 

     There was an amicable excitement and comfort from the audience for the night's events as guests gradually took their seats during the hour long pre-show hosted by comedian Gary 'G-Thang' Johnson. At one point during the warm up Johnson announced to the crowd, "I feel like Joe Clark up here." while guest Jamie Foxx took his seat near Django Unchained director Quentin Tarantino. Movies up for Image Awards for the night included Unchained, Red Tails, Beasts of the Southern Wild, Flight, Tyler Perry's Good Deeds, Chico & Rita, Unconditional, The Intouchables, and more.

George Lucas accepts NAACP Image Award for Red Tails

     Red Tails producer George Lucas and director Anthony Hemingway were on hand to accept the night's big Motion Picture award for the heroic action flick. Lucas declaring, "Thank you so much for allowing us to be here tonight." Last year's Red Tails was a project the producer had been working on since the late eighties. Jamie Foxx had daughter Corrine on hand as his date for the evening and took home the night's award for Entertainer of the Year, while his Django Unchained co-star Samuel L. Jackson took home Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for his role in the Tarantino slave film.

     The night's other big winners included Denzel Washington for Actor in a Motion Picture in Paramount Pictures' Flight, Viola Davis for Actress in a Motion Picture for the rallying school staff flick Won't Back Down, Don Cheadle for Actor in a Comedy Series for Showtime's House of Lies, and many more. A full list of the night's winners and nominees can be seen here.

     Halle Berry wore a gown by Vivienne Westwood as she presented the night's award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture to Denzel Washington for his leading role as a drunken pilot in Flight. She then accepted the award on his behalf in front of a disappointed crowd, as he was absent from the event.

Sidney Poitier honors Harry Belafonte with the NAACP Spinard Award

 With all of the night's glamour and honors, including a presentation performance of the Spinard Award to honoree Harry Belafonte performed by Wyclef Jean with Common and delivered by veteran actor (and friend of Belafonte) Sidney Poitier, and a stunning performance by Gladys Knight of "The Way We Were" in memoriam of those lost in 2012, Kerry Washington overall reigned in the Shrine Theater crowd with her triumphant wins and powerful messages.

Kerry Washington mania!

The night's big winner and Scandal actress accepted the award for Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for her role as captured slave Broomhilda von Schaft in Django Unchained. Washington announced, "This award does not belong to me," before thanking all those a part of her inner circle and management team. She then continues on to say, "This award does not belong to me. It belongs to our [African-American] ancestors."

Washington also took home the award for Best Actress in a Drama Series for her leading role on ABC's hit drama Scandal. Washington was recognized throughout the night as the first African-American female lead on a primetime show in almost four decades and was presented the Image Award (and made out with, a little) by Scandal co-star Tony Goldwyn. I say they made out (see below).

Last but not least Washington took home one of the night's other big honors, the President's Award in recognition of special achievement and public services, which was presented to her by NAACP exec Benjamin Todd Jealous and legendary artist Diahann Carroll. While on stage to accept the award Washington delivered an inspiring and spirited speech about the world as we know it today. Stating, "Human beings are complicated, and flawed, and unique. But we all have a story to tell. Gone are the days when our lead characters can only look like somebody else. Heroes look like all of us." Washington received the President's honor in part for being the first African-American female lead on a primetime show (ABC's Scandal) in almost four decades.

Quvenzhané Wallis accepts Image Award on behalf of Viola Davis

     The little-big star of the night was Beasts of the Southern Wild actress and Actress in a Motion Picture nominee Quvenzhané Wallis, who was called on stage by presenter Samuel L. Jackson to accept the award on winner Viola Davis' behalf, because we "needed to hear her voice", as Jackson put it. Quvenzhané thanked God for her many blessings before her live broadcast was cut short by an NAACP video message from First Lady Michelle Obama. Above we see her entire appearance on stage at the show.
     My take on the evening as a whole: A star-studded night that consisted of a lot of laughs, appreciation and staring at the back of Jamie Foxx's head. Foxx is an interesting man, what can I say. Kerry Washington receiving uncanny amounts of hugs and appreciation during commercial breaks, having to rush back to her seat during 10 second countdowns until back on air, and tripping over her Oscar de la Renta designed gown all in the process was an adorable highlight. A guest photobombing the back of Quentin Tarantino pictures was another, and showed that this was clearly a very humorous and relaxed crowd, as can only be expected from a night at the NAACP Image Awards.




Debbie Threet