First published in the Jan. 26 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
It has been a remarkable awards season for La Cañada Flintridge resident Angela Bassett so far.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced in a statement on Tuesday that Bassett was one of five women nominated for an Academy Award for “performance by an actress in a supporting role” for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”
This honor also marks the first time an actor from a Marvel film has been nominated for an Oscar.
Bassett received a Best Supporting Actress Award at the Golden Globes and was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for a Female Actor in a Supporting Role for her standout performance as Queen Ramonda in Marvel’s “Black Panther.” The 29th SAG Awards will be presented on Feb. 26.
This is Bassett’s second nomination from the Academy. Previously, she was nominated for Best Actress for her role in the 1993 film “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” for her portrayal of Tina Turner.
Her fellow nominees in the category are Hong Chau in “The Whale,” Kerry Condon in “The Banshees of Inisherin,” Jamie Lee Curtis in “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and Stephanie Hsu in “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”
“This morning is a little extra special in the Bassett Vance household with news of my Oscar nomination,” Bassett wrote on her Instagram account on Tuesday. “What has drawn me to each of the women I’ve portrayed throughout my career is their strength, compassion, resilience and power. ‘Wakanda Forever’s’ Queen Ramonda is a character that touched my spirit because she is a mother and a leader who must care for her grieving nation as much as she cares for her family in mourning. Ramonda is a love letter that reflects and acknowledges what we women do every day. There was so much to unpack as an actress because it’s brilliant storytelling, alongside a wealth of talent in front of and behind the camera.
“I’m thankful to the Academy for including me amongst a wonderful group of actresses. I look forward to March 12 as we cheer for and celebrate with one another.”
Academy members from each of the 17 branches vote to determine the nominees in their respective categories — actors nominate actors, film editors nominate film editors, etc. This year, the Academy saw its highest ever voter participation in the organization’s history, with members submitting ballots from 80 countries.
The 95th Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, March 12, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be televised live on ABC (channel 7 in Los Angeles) and in more than 200 territories worldwide.
