Kiki Layne’s star is rapidly on the rise and on Thursday she was honored at ESSENCE’s annual Black Women In Hollywood Awards.
Layne, the standout star of If Beale Street Could Talk, was presented with the Breakout Star award by co-star Regina King.
Taking the stage to thank her mother, friends and ESSENCE, where she received her first cover, the actress called her rapid rise “exciting but extremely terrifying.”
The star opened up about doubting herself and questioning why she’s received such acclaim, but came to realize that now “was the perfect time to receive this honor.”
“It is the very beginning for me and being here in this room and receiving this award, it’s showing me that I’m not by myself in all of this,” Layne said.
“People ask me all the time ‘How has all of this been? Your life is changing?’ I mean, it’s really exciting and I’m so very thankful but it’s also extremely terrifying.”
She added, “Sometimes it’s really terrifying and sometimes really overwhelming and I have a hard time telling people that and asking for help. So, I’m thankful to be in this room full of so many people who just show me so much love and encouragement.”
Along with her work in If Beale Street Could Talk, Layne is also receiving praise for her turn in Native Son, which premiered earlier this year at Sundance.
She’s set to appear later this year in Captive State and a currently untitled Luca Guadagnino project.
