In a candid interview with Oprah Winfrey, Angela Bassett opened up about the complex emotions accompanying her loss for Best Supporting Actress at last year’s Oscars. Despite widespread acclaim for her powerful performance in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and early awards season wins, she expressed a natural sense of disappointment. Yet, her focus remained on the importance of handling difficult moments with grace: “Handling it like a human being was my intention,” she emphasized.

Bassett shared her belief that the ability to navigate disappointment with dignity is a lesson worth imparting, especially to her children. This underscores the responsibility she feels as a role model, both onscreen and off. It’s a responsibility she’s embodied throughout her career, from her iconic portrayal of Tina Turner in “What’s Love Got to Do With It” to her pioneering Oscar nomination for “Wakanda Forever”. Despite the latest setback, Bassett continues to break barriers for performers in the superhero genre.

This year, in lieu of winning a competitive statuette, Bassett is receiving a well-deserved Honorary Award at the Oscars, recognizing the breadth and excellence of her work over decades. Her excitement for Queen Ramonda stemmed from a yearning to portray regal Black women, a character type too often absent in mainstream cinema. Beyond personal ambition, she saw the role as an affirmation: “We are queens… so often Black women are considered at the low end of the totem. No!”

What shines through is Bassett’s commitment to channeling her experiences, both positive and challenging, into powerful on-screen portrayals.

Ntianu Obiora
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Ntianu Obiora is a versatile creative professional with over a decade of experience in publishing, marketing, communications, and digital strategy. She is the Online Editor at THEWILL DOWNTOWN