Actress Angela Bassett recently shared her candid thoughts on her controversial reaction to losing out on an Oscar award. Bassett, who had been nominated for a best actress award nearly 30 years ago for her portrayal of Tina Turner in the 1993 film “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” expressed her belief that she had put in the hard work and dedication necessary to deserve the recognition from the Academy. She stated, “No, I have put in, put in the time, put in good work over time. I didn’t think that was a gift. I thought it was a given.” In 2024, Bassett was eventually honored with an Honorary Oscar for her significant contributions to the film industry.
These remarks by Bassett come in the wake of her previous admission to Oprah Winfrey that she was “gobsmacked” when she lost the award to another nominee, Curtis. Reflecting on her performance as Queen Ramonda in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” Bassett expressed her belief that she was deserving of a best supporting actress Oscar for her portrayal in the film.
Despite the disappointment of not receiving the award, Winfrey noted her surprise at how gracefully Bassett handled the situation on camera. Bassett, in response, acknowledged, “I thought I handled it very well. That was my intention, was to handle it very well.” She recognized the natural human emotion of disappointment, stating, “It was, of course, a supreme disappointment. And disappointment is human. So I thought, yes, I was disappointed and I handled it like a human being.”
Bassett emphasized the importance of setting an example for her children by showcasing grace and resilience in the face of defeat. She shared that she aimed to appear “gracious” to teach her children how to handle moments of disappointment with dignity. Reflecting on the experience, she expressed her determination to maintain a positive outlook by saying, “So, we’re gonna smile, we’re gonna be gracious. We’re gonna be kind. We’re gonna party, anyway,” with a touch of humor.
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
