Angela Bassettwas recently honored at the Santa Barbara Film Festival with the Montecito Award. Throughout her 35-year career, Bassett has made a significant impression on audiences and has earned the status of a respected figure in the film industry. The Montecito Award is a highly coveted recognition given to artists who have made an exceptional contribution to the world of film and entertainment. Bassett was honored to receive such a prestigious award and expressed her gratitude for the recognition.

During an interview at the festival with its executive director Roger Durling viaTHR, Bassett shared her experience with the filmBlack Panther: Wakanda Foreverand how it offered the representation she longed for as a young aspiring actor. She expressed her gratitude for being part of a film that predominantly features Black women and its impact on audiences. Bassett acknowledged the importance of representation and its impact on young people.

Bassett in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

“That representation that I longed for when I was a young actor coming up? To be able to offer that, to be given the opportunity to offer that, is a dream come true.”

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Angela Bassett Makes History with Oscars Nomination for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Performance

The 2023 Oscars ceremony is shaping up to be an exciting event, with the announcement of the nominations revealing a few curveballs and some historical moments. One such moment comes from Angela Bassett, who has made history as the first actress to benominated for a Marvel Studios film. Her nomination is for her performance inBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever, where she was cast in the role of Queen Ramonda. Additionally, Bassett’s recent Golden Globe win has put her in the spotlight and has solidified her as a star in Hollywood. She is now in the running for the Best Supporting Actress award at the 2023 Oscars, competing against nominees such as Hong Chau (The Whale), Kerry Condon (The Banshees of Inisherin), Jamie Lee Curtis, and Stephanie Hsu both forEverything Everywhere All At Once.

In her emotional Golden Globe acceptance speech, Bassett paid tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman and his impact on theBlack Pantherfranchise. She expressed her gratitude to the Marvel fans for embracing the characters and the film and showed her appreciation for the legacy that Boseman helped to create. Boseman’s portrayal of T’Challa received widespread critical acclaim, and his passing was a significant loss to the film industry.

“Weeping may come in the evening, but joy comes in the morning. We embarked on this journey together with love. We mourned, we loved, we healed. We were surrounded each and every day by the light and spirit of Chadwick Boseman. We have joy in knowing that with this historic Black Panther series, it is a part of his legacy that he helped to lead us to. We showed the world what Black united leadership [looks like] beyond, behind and in front of the camera. To the Marvel fans, thank you for embracing these characters and showing us so much love.”

Angela Bassett’s nomination for the 2023 Oscars is a historical moment for the Marvel franchise and for Hollywood as a whole. It is a proper recognition of her talent and impact as an actress and a testament to the impact that theBlack Pantherfranchise has had on the industry.