The nominations for the 52nd NAACP Image Awards have arrived, recognizing the achievements of people of color in TV, music, literature and film in 2020.
The announcements took place virtually in an Instagram Live hosted by Anika Noni-Rose, Chloe Bailey, Erika Alexander, Nicco Annan, and TC Carson on Tuesday.
Demonstrating her dominance, Beyonce was named individual with the most nominations.
Meanwhile, D-Nice, Viola Davis, Regina King, Trevor Noah and Tyler Perry will be competing for the top honor: Entertainer Of The Year.
Notable noms: Beyonce came out on top when the NAACP Image Award nominations were announced on Tuesday, earning seven nods. Also of note, Chadwick Boseman received two posthumous nods
Main event: D-Nice, Viola Davis, Regina King, Trevor Noah and Tyler Perry will be competing for the top honor: Entertainer Of The Year
King has been nominated for Entertainer Of The Year for three consecutive years. This is Perry’s second since 2014. Davis was nominated in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
None of the three have won the category, however.
2021 will be D-Nice and Noah’s first time competing in the category.
In addition to her Entertainer Of The Year nod, Viola earned nominations for best actress in a drama series for How to Get Away with Murder and best actress in a motion picture for her work in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.
King was recognized for directing her debut feature One Night in Miami.
Another one of the night’s most important honors is the Social Justice Impact award, which reporter April Ryan, actress/dancer Debbie Allen, basketball player Lebron James, politician/voting rights activist Stacey Abrams and activist/organizer Tamika Mallory.
Among other notable nominations are Chadwick Boseman’s two posthumous nods, one for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and another for his role as a supporting actor in Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods.
Master of her craft: Viola Davis earned an Entertainer Of The Year nod, as well as nominations for best actress in a drama series for How to Get Away with Murder and best actress in a motion picture for her work in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Behind the camera: King was recognized for directing her debut feature One Night in Miami
Queen of Kings: The Queen Bey has an additional nomination for Outstanding Directing In A Television Movie Or Special for collaborating with Emmanuel Adeji, Blitz Bazawule, Kwasi Fordjour on the Disney+ special Black Is King
The Black Panther actor tragically died in August 2020 after a private battle against colon cancer. He was 43-years-old.
Overall, David E. Talbert’s Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey lead the film categories with 10, while George C. Wolfe’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Pete Docter and Kemp Powers’ Soul received nine.
In the world of TV ABC’s Black-ish came out on top with 11 nominations while Lovecraft Country earned eight and Insecure got seven.
Beyonce earned six music nominations. Alicia Keys, Chloe x Halle and H.E.R. were behind with four each.
The Queen Bey has an additional nomination for Outstanding Directing In A Television Movie Or Special for collaborating with Emmanuel Adeji, Blitz Bazawule, Kwasi Fordjour on the Disney+ special Black Is King.
Missed: Boseman was nominated for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and for his role as a supporting actor in Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods
Movie magic: Overall, David E. Talbert’s Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey lead the film categories with 10, while George C. Wolfe’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Pete Docter and Kemp Powers’ Soul received nine
Primetime: In the world of TV ABC’s Black-ish came out on top with 11 nominations while Lovecraft Country earned eight and Insecure got seven
Talking about the event in a statement NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson said: ‘We are excited to recognize and celebrate this year’s nominees, who at times throughout this unprecedented year have provided moments of levity, brought our communities together, and lifted our spirits through culture when we needed it the most.’
BET President Scott Mills added: ‘BET shares the NAACP’s commitment to engage and empower our community, and we are proud to serve as partners on the 52nd Annual Image Awards.
‘The NAACP Image Awards uniquely honors our culture and community, recognizing those who help tell our stories through music, TV, movies, and literature. It is a distinct privilege for us to amplify the incredible work of the NAACP—and the best and brightest creative minds in the entertainment industry—across our ViacomCBS properties.’
The 52nd NAACP Image Awards will air on BET on March 27 at 8pm EST. Non-televised award categories will live stream over five nights from March 22 to 26.