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Black girls are constantly underestimated, disregarded, and missed within the leisure trade, 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.
In case you’ve missed all the intense factors of this awards season, let me remind you of what is occurred to this point. In the course of the Golden Globes on Jan. 7, we noticed Ayo Edebiri take residence her first main award as this yr’s finest feminine actor in a tv sequence for her work in “The Bear.” Her acceptance speech made its means 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 attainable.
The next week, entertainers reunited for the 2023 Emmys. It felt serendipitous that the present landed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, provided that a number of Black girls received of their respective classes whereas concurrently breaking long-standing information.
The brilliantly hilarious Quinta Brunson took residence the award for excellent lead actress in a comedy sequence for her function as Janine Teagues in “Abbott Elementary,” turning into solely the second Black lady to earn this achievement. Isabel Sanford received in 1981 for her iconic function in “The Jeffersons,” so Brunson broke the 43-year-long drought together with her win. That is far too lengthy a spot. Within the intervening years, so many Black girls 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 3 times for “Insecure.”
Brunson truly broke two information that evening — due to Edebiri’s win for finest supporting actress, the pair had been the primary Black girls to carry each comedy titles concurrently in Emmys historical past. We can also’t discuss history-makers with out mentioning Keke “Preserve a Bag” Palmer. She was the primary Black lady 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 lady in 15 years to win within the class. Palmer’s win spoke volumes to me; I by no means realized how a lot sport exhibits had been a men-dominated house till I noticed her win. With one award, she broke a streak for all girls — whereas additionally breaking a glass ceiling for Black girls.
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 most likely seen it throughout social media by now. What made the second so particular is that it wasn’t about an outdoor power 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 woman along with your dangerous self. You probably did that,'” she advised 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 simply accept the award on behalf of “each Black and Brown lady 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 girls in America take care of each day was extremely poignant and paved the best way for what I hope we see extra of within the leisure trade.
Slowly however certainly, Black girls 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 underneath hearth for snubbing Black girls, 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 Colour Purple.” However for now, I am specializing in the monumental yr we have already had and the celebrations that would 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 yr.
SZA is main the pack with probably the most nominations — 9 — for any artist this yr. Her critically acclaimed sophomore album, “SOS,” is about to snag a handful of the coveted awards. And after years within the trade 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 together with her and have watched her evolution in actual time. Bailey, equally, continues to shine. Following a monumental yr 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 girls be nominated for — and win — awards for his or her craft. The common Black lady is advised to be humble and gracious, by no means to boast or boldly have fun our wins. However as Nash, Brunson, and hopefully extra stars to return have confirmed, the tides are shifting. Slowly however certainly, Black girls are receiving their flowers — not solely from leaders within the trade, but in addition from themselves.
As a younger Black lady, I am taking notes. I’ll proudly have fun 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.”
Picture Supply: Getty / Wealthy Polk; Frazer Harrison
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