If not her then who?
Born August 16, 1958, Angela Evelyn Bassett will go down in history as one of the best actresses to ever live. From her iconic performance in What’s Love Got to Do With It? to her most recent role as Queen Ramonda in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, her talent cannot be denied. Tuesday, she earned a best supporting actress nomination for the 95th Academy Awards for her performance as Queen Ramonda, making her the first Black person, first woman and first Marvel Studios actor to be nominated for a performance in a comic book adaptation.
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“This morning is a little extra special in the Bassett Vance household with news of my Oscar nomination,” Bassett told CNN. “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 everyday.”
Although it’s Bassett’s second Oscar nomination, the first taking place 29 years ago for best actress for 1993’s Tina Turner biopic “What’s Love Got to Do With It?”, the feeling is still the same! “I’m thankful to the Academy for including me amongst a wonderful group of actresses,” Bassett said.
For Variety‘s November 2022 cover story on “Wakanda Forever,” Bassett said she had no problem drawing from her own grief over Boseman’s death. “Use it,” she said. “Make it good for something. You’re experiencing it. Don’t be ashamed of it. It’s part of life. The tears you see are indicative of the love I have — or the justice I demand or want or seek or desire.”
Congratulations to the Queen!