Los Angeles— Usher won performer of the year at the 55th NAACP Awards on Saturday night, which honored artists and writers of color. Usher expressed gratitude for his 30-year career at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles after accepting his award.
He mentioned his sold-out Las Vegas residency, marriage, ninth studio album “Coming Home,” and Super Bowl halftime show, which was the most-watched in game history. Usher defeated Colman Domingo, Fantasia Barrino, Halle Bailey, and Keke Palmer.
“I don’t know how many people do that much stuff in one setting,” remarked the multi-Grammy winner accepting the prize from Oprah Winfrey. After being shocked by Winfrey, he praised his supporters. The performer said, "This is for you, my number ones," and the audience repeated him. He concluded his speech with lyrics from his 2024 album “Confessions,” which has sold over 10 million copies in the U.S. ‘Superstar’ lyrics.
Usher received the President's Award earlier in the program for his New Look Foundation's public service. He acknowledged his strong ladies, especially his mother and wife Jenn Goicoechea, whom he married last month following his Super Bowl halftime performance.
A stronger woman is behind, beside, or with every powerful guy, he said. Queen Latifah hosted the BET awards live. “The Color Purple” won best film. The musical film starred Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Domingo, H.E.R., Danielle Brooks, Corey Hawkins, and Bailey.
Barrino, who played Celie, won best actress. “I didn’t prepare a speech, because I didn’t think I would win,” the singer-actor stated. I was scared to play Celie, but I'm glad I did. Because I kept repeating, "If I don't win an award, the awards I'll win will come from the people who watched 'Color Purple' and the women who will relate to her and feel like Oscars when they leave."
New Edition into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame. Pioneers whose work shaped their fields are inducted. Michael Bivins stated, “We stand here in brotherhood,” with his gang behind him. Bobby Brown, Johnny Gill, Ralph Tresvant, Ronnie DeVoe, and Ricky Bell are Grammy nominees.
Our story is known. You know what we've gone through," Bivins said of the group's rise from disagreement and tension to a Las Vegas residency. He added, “But we call each other every day. “We text daily. We monitor families. You watched us mature. Our growth continues.”
Damson Idris won best drama TV actor for “Snowfall.” Henson and Domingo won best supporting roles in “The Color Purple.” Domingo won best actor in a film for “Rustin.”
stay turned for development