The return of Jonathan Majors and what you didn’t see at the NAACP Image Awards
Jonathan Majors and Meagan Good attend the 55th Annual NAACP Awards Gala.
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
The NAACP’s 55th Annual Image Awards marked the end of a months-long awards season that went out with a bang, with stars like Oprah Winfrey and Usher, and Oscar nominees including Sterling K. Brown, Jeffrey Wright, and Hall of Famers like New. Edition poses for the glittering event at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Saturday.
Also among the bold names in attendance was Jonathan Majors, who accompanied girlfriend and nominee Meagan Good to the couple’s first major red carpet event together, Majors’ most high-profile appearance since his assault and harassment conviction in December.
Majors and Goode posed for photos with fans during commercial breaks, while other stars used the time to hug friends and fans. Among them: Octavia Butler, who embraced honoree Amanda Gorman. with Hollywood Reporter On the carpet and inside the room, here are the highlights of what the TV cameras didn’t show at the party hosted by Queen Latifah.
Majors and her friend Meagan Good give select interviews on the red carpet
Good, for which she was nominated for her second NAACP Award for her role in Harlem, she told Entertainment Tonight that she is “happier than she has been in a long time.” After giving the actress space to talk about the Amazon Prime project and what the role means to her, ET’s Kevin Frazier pulled Majors over, first asking how he was doing. “Good to see you, man,” the actor replied, before noting that it was “unbelievable” to be Good’s plus one at the awards show. “I love everything she does, and I am thrilled that she is being recognized today by us.” Before the pair made their way inside, Frasier asked him how it felt to have Jude, who has clearly indicated he loves Majors, as he navigated the past few months: “Do you want me to cry?” He asked and then replied: “No, man, love is beautiful.” Support, accountability, all those things – someone to talk to and chat with and get better with, and for that, God is good.”
Courtney B. Vance and Dionne Cole share a romantic moment
During the Average Joe Star interview with THR On the carpet, Courtney B. Vance reached out and pushed Cole on the shoulder, prompting the two to play, fight, and hug. As the two laughed, Cole told THR “No interviews will be conducted with Dionne and Courtney.”
Lisa Ann Walter has a crush on Bradley Cooper
In a ring Abbott Elementary After the Oscars, Lisa Ann Walter, who plays teacher Melissa on the ABC comedy series, welcomed a special guest to her classroom. That guest? Artist, band leader Star Bradley Cooper, said by Walter THR She was “giddy” to be there. “I laughed almost non-stop the whole time we worked together,” she admitted, before adding: “He’s a sexy monkey man on a stick.”
Damson Idris teases a new Brad Pitt movie
Snowfall Damson Idris has teased his upcoming Formula 1 racing film with Brad Pitt, about a retired driver who comes out of retirement to tutor a young driver. Idris revealed that his favorite moment on set was, “When we got off camera, I was like, ‘Man, this could be the best moment of my life,’ and (Pitt) was like, ‘Yes, me too, kid.'”
Musical chairs
As the show began, attendees were scrambling to find their seats. While guests were scheduled to pick up their tickets digitally, a system issue left some waiting on the day of the show, so they were directed to get them at the on-site box office. Confusion likely played a role for some people, including Vivica A. Fox, who were still searching for their location just moments before the show. The actress eventually made her way to her assigned seat closest to the stage, but the game of musical chairs for others continued throughout the evening.
Queen Charlotte sticks together
India’s Rhea Amartifio, who plays young Charlotte on Netflix Queen Charlotte, won the NAACP Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series. As the younger star accepted her award, Golda Rosheuvel, who plays an older woman, shouted from the audience: “I support!” She captured the moment on her phone. Later, actress Adjoa Andoh (Mrs. Danbury) joins Rosheuvel’s embrace. Amarteifio was the second Briton to win (with Damson Idris taking the Outstanding Actor award just before), and the show’s director joked: “American actors, you’ll get your due.”
Black card check
During the break, the emcee played two songs to check everyone’s “black card.” He first asked the famous question: “Do you know where Asher was at seven o’clock?” In reference to the star’s song “Nice & Slow,” which sparked a lot of controversy on social media due to people’s answers being divided. (Based on the song’s lyrics, the answer could be in his flowing shirt as he strolls down the street, or in Paris, where the actual video was filmed.) The audience sang along with the song as it played.
Later, the DJ played a clean version of the 2006 song “Blow the Whistle” by Too $hort. When the artist sings the famous call-and-response, “What’s my favorite word?”, some in the audience shouted an expletive, and the evening’s emcee said, “Wow, wow…” and suggested an alternative word, “Witch.” ,” instead of.
Everyone admires Asher
THR asked several NAACP attendees, including Luke James and Trevor Jackson Diarra from Detroit star DomiNque Perry, how do they feel about Usher receiving his roses as the newest President’s Award recipient and Entertainer of the Year. Everyone shared their level of excitement, however Violet joked co-star Danielle Brooks, who seemed the most excited THRthat she “accidentally” left her wedding party in the ring at home for Asher.
Violet Reunion
Taraji P. Henson, who plays Shug Avery Violet, I walked up to the sitting Fantasia Barrino and gave her a big hug. The two then talked for a while before Brooks came over and hugged them as well. Brooks, who was nominated for an Academy Award for her role in the film, shared her excitement at attending the NAACP Awards, saying: THR: “I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for my people. The dedication that so many black actors and actresses put into this inspired me to be where I am now.” The cast has collectively received numerous NAACP Image Awards, including Outstanding Motion Picture.
