Oscar season may have come and gone, but for some nominees, the sting of losing still lingers. Angela Bassett recently opened up about her feelings regarding her loss to Jamie Lee Curtis at the 2023 Academy Awards, shedding light on the raw emotions that often accompany such moments in the spotlight.
Bassett, a seasoned actress with a remarkable career spanning decades, received a nomination for her portrayal of Queen Ramonda in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” Her performance garnered widespread acclaim, positioning her as an early favorite for the coveted Best Supporting Actress award. However, the night did not unfold as many had anticipated.
In a candid interview with Oprah Winfrey on OWN Spotlight, Bassett revealed her initial shock and disappointment upon realizing that her name would not be called. “I just knew your name was gonna be called,” Winfrey remarked, reflecting the sentiments of many who expected Bassett to clinch the award. “And then, when they didn’t, I was beside myself! We were beside ourselves in our house,” Winfrey continued.
Bassett, known for her grace and poise both on and off the screen, acknowledged the disappointment she felt in that moment. “I was gobsmacked,” she admitted. “I thought I handled it very well, and that was my intention: to handle it very well. It was, of course, a supreme disappointment, and disappointment is human, so … yes, I was disappointed, and I handled it like a human being.”
The reaction to Bassett’s loss was palpable, with social media dubbing her expression as “Angela Bassett face.” Despite the disappointment, Bassett maintained her composure, embodying the grace befitting a queen. “Absolutely. For myself and for my children, who were there with me, yes,” she affirmed. “We’re going to smile, we’re going to be gracious, we’re going to be kind, we’re going to party, anyway.”
Reflecting on the significance of the moment, Bassett acknowledged the importance of setting an example, particularly for her children. “There are going to be these moments of disappointment that they are going to experience,” she noted. “But how do you handle yourself in the midst of them? We’re going to smile, we’re going to be gracious, we’re going to be kind, we’re going to party, anyway.”
Bassett’s loss at the 2023 Oscars marked her second disappointment in the pursuit of an Academy Award, following her previous nomination for her portrayal of Tina Turner in “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” in 1994. Despite the setbacks, the Academy recognized Bassett’s contributions to the industry by honoring her with an honorary Oscar at the 2023 Governor’s Awards. While the coveted statuette may have eluded her on stage, it serves as a testament to her enduring talent and legacy in Hollywood.
In hindsight, Bassett’s reaction to her Oscars snub was honest, relatable, and ultimately human. As Bassett stated, “We’re going to smile, we’re going to be gracious, we’re going to be kind, we’re going to party anyway.”