The 2013 awards season is officially underway and a number of Black actors in Hollywood are already winning.
Last night, Tinseltown kicked things off with the 17th Hollywood Film Awards where Steve McQueen, Lee Daniels, David Oyelowo, Michael B. Jordan and Lupita Nyong’o were recognized for their recent achievements in film.
12 Years a Slave director McQueen received the Hollywood Breakout Director Award, presented to him by Kanye West—who also proposed to girlfriend Kim Kardashian that night. “I’ve always admired Steve’s work,” said West.
McQueen was grateful when he accepted what will hopefully be the first of many awards. “I’ve arrived!” he said, adding that he made 12 Years in hopes of helping reach a “reconciliation with the past in order to get a brighter future.”
Lee Daniels’ The Butler stars Forest Whitaker and Jane Fonda presented Daniels with the Hollywood Director Award. Daniels said he found it ironic that the word “Hollywood” was in the award name because his film was made without the support of a studio. Michael B. Jordan and David Oyelowo received the Hollywood Spotlight Award for their work in Fruitvale Station and Lee Daniels’ The Butler respectively.
And finally, Angela Bassett honored breakout star Lupita Nyong’o with the New Hollywood Award for her role in 12 Years a Slave. Bassett praised her work on screen calling it a “breakthrough performance that you will not soon forget.” With tears in her eyes, Nyong’o thanked her mother, her fellow actors in the drama and director McQueen. “Steve, I will never forget this opportunity you gave to me,” she said.
Could these actors be top contenders for Oscar nominations? We’re shouting a resounding YES!
