Black ladies are persistently underestimated, disregarded, and neglected within the leisure business, however I have been so impressed by Black stars’ pleasure and self-love this awards season. From Quinta Brunson to Niecy Nash, our favourite actresses have already celebrated their well-deserved flowers — and I will be watching the upcoming Grammys to see if that pattern continues.
When you’ve missed all the intense factors of this awards season, let me remind you of what is occurred to this point. Throughout the Golden Globes on Jan. 7, we noticed Ayo Edebiri take dwelling her first main award as this 12 months’s finest feminine actor in a tv sequence for her work in “The Bear.” Her acceptance speech made its manner round social media for her relatable supply — however primarily for her acknowledgment of her brokers’ and managers’ assistants. Regardless of this being a momentous event in her profession, she took the time to humbly thank and uplift these in “smaller positions” who make doing what she loves potential.
The next week, entertainers reunited for the 2023 Emmys. It felt serendipitous that the present landed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, on condition that a number of Black ladies received of their respective classes whereas concurrently breaking long-standing data.
The brilliantly hilarious Quinta Brunson took dwelling the award for excellent lead actress in a comedy sequence for her position as Janine Teagues in “Abbott Elementary,” changing into solely the second Black girl to earn this achievement. Isabel Sanford received in 1981 for her iconic position in “The Jeffersons,” so Brunson broke the 43-year-long drought along with her win. That is far too lengthy a spot. Within the intervening years, so many Black ladies have been snubbed for his or her work: Tracee Ellis Ross was nominated 5 occasions for the award for her work on “Black-ish,” for instance, whereas Issa Rae was nominated thrice for “Insecure.”
Brunson really broke two data that night time — due to Edebiri’s win for finest supporting actress, the pair have been the primary Black ladies to carry each comedy titles concurrently in Emmys historical past. We can also’t speak about history-makers with out mentioning Keke “Maintain a Bag” Palmer. She was the primary Black girl to not solely be nominated however win an Emmy for excellent host of a sport present. Because the host of NBC’s “Password,” she was additionally the primary girl in 15 years to win within the class. Palmer’s win spoke volumes to me; I by no means realized how a lot sport reveals have been a men-dominated house till I noticed her win. With one award, she broke a streak for all ladies — whereas additionally breaking a glass ceiling for Black ladies.
The true showstopper of the 2024 Emmys was Nash. After profitable her first Primetime Emmy for excellent supporting actress in a restricted sequence for “Dahmer,” she gave an awe-inspiring speech — you have in all probability seen it throughout social media by now. What made the second so particular is that it wasn’t about an outdoor drive recognizing her star energy; she did that herself. “I wish to thank me — for believing in me and doing what they stated I couldn’t do. And I wish to say to myself in entrance of all these lovely folks, ‘Go on lady along with your dangerous self. You probably did that,'” she instructed the group. It was lovely to see Nash unapologetically celebrating herself, particularly after the unimaginable work she has put into her virtually three-decade-long profession.
She continued to just accept the award on behalf of “each Black and Brown girl who has gone unheard but overpoliced. Like Glenda Cleveland. Like Sandra Bland. Like Breonna Taylor.” Seeing Nash spotlight self-love so boldly whereas additionally acknowledging the trauma that Black ladies in America cope with every day was extremely poignant and paved the best way for what I hope we see extra of within the leisure business.
Slowly however certainly, Black ladies are receiving their flowers.
Looking forward to February, we’re kicking off Black Historical past Month with the Grammys on Feb. 4 and the BAFTAs on Feb. 18. The Oscars have already come below hearth for snubbing Black ladies, together with leaving out Ava DuVernay within the director’s class for “Origin” and Fantasia Barrino and Taraji P. Henson for his or her roles in “The Coloration Purple.” However for now, I am specializing in the monumental 12 months we have already had and the celebrations that might come — particularly through the Grammys. My focus will probably be on Coco Jones, Victoria Monét, SZA, and Halle Bailey; these 4 powerhouse musicians are certain to dominate this 12 months.
SZA is main the pack with probably the most nominations — 9 — for any artist this 12 months. Her critically acclaimed sophomore album, “SOS,” is ready to snag a handful of the coveted awards. And after years within the business as a songwriter, Monét is receiving the eye she deserves for her debut studio album, “Jaguar II.” Alongside her seven nominations, her 2.5-year-old daughter, Hazel, has additionally made historical past because the youngest nominee ever. In the meantime, watching Jones being nominated for 5 Grammys, together with finest new artist, makes me extraordinarily proud. I grew up along with her and have watched her evolution in actual time. Bailey, equally, continues to shine. Following a monumental 12 months by which she starred as Ariel within the live-action “Little Mermaid,” her debut single, “Angel,” is up for finest R&B music, making this her first solo Grammy nomination.
It’s validating to see such gifted Black ladies be nominated for — and win — awards for his or her craft. The common Black girl is instructed to be humble and gracious, by no means to boast or boldly have a good time our wins. However as Nash, Brunson, and hopefully extra stars to come back have confirmed, the tides are shifting. Slowly however certainly, Black ladies are receiving their flowers — not solely from leaders within the business, but additionally from themselves.
As a younger Black girl, I am taking notes. I’ll proudly have a good time my wins as I work towards my goals and proceed to foster my creativity. This awards season has simply began, however I’m excited to see what else is in retailer. As Rae would say, “I am rooting for everyone Black.”