Colman Domingo and Ayo Edebiri are having a stellar year, and it keeps getting better. Fresh off their first Oscar nomination and Emmy win, the two acclaimed actors scored multiple nominations each for the 55th NAACP Image Awards, leading the pack of film and TV contenders.
Top Nominees Showcase Black Excellence Across Entertainment
The NAACP Image Awards honor outstanding performances and content centering Black creatives across television, film, music and literature.
This year’s nominations were announced on January 25th, with Domingo and Edebiri recognized for continuing their award-winning streaks.
Domingo earned three nominations:
- Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for “Rustin”
- Outstanding Supporting Actor for “The Color Purple”
- Entertainer of the Year
“I’m so grateful for the recognition from the NAACP,” said Domingo. “It’s a dream to bring such inspiring stories to life.”
Edebiri scored two acting nominations:
- Outstanding Supporting Actress for “The Bear”
- Guest Actress for “Abbott Elementary”
“It means the world to be acknowledged this way,” remarked Edebiri. “I hope it inspires other young Black women to pursue their talents.”
Diverse Range of Black Creators Among Top Nominees
While Domingo and Edebiri led the individual nominees, the acclaimed musical “The Color Purple” topped the film categories with 16 total nominations.
The production scored nods for Outstanding Motion Picture and Ensemble Cast, along with individual acting nominations for stars like Fantasia Barrino and Halle Bailey.
Victoria Monét dominated the music categories with six nominations including Outstanding New Artist. “Jaguar II” hitmaker Monét is trailed closely by singer Usher, who is also up for Entertainer of the Year.
On the TV side, last year’s big winner “Abbott Elementary” scored nine nominations. Quinta Brunson received another lead actress nod, while the sitcom earned supporting actor nominations for cast members like Tyler James Williams.
Other top nominees include director Ava DuVernay’s “Origin”, Michael B. Jordan’s “Creed III’, and series like “Queen Charlotte” and “Snowfall.”
Prestigious Awards Ceremony Set for March
The NAACP Image Awards winners will be revealed at a two-hour ceremony airing live on March 16th. The telecast will broadcast on BET and CBS at 8 pm ET/PT.
Additional non-televised awards will be handed out from March 11-14, streaming online via the Image Awards website.
This year’s diverse range of nominees showcases Black achievement spanning film, TV, music and culture. With acclaimed creators like Domingo, Edebiri, Brunson and Monét leading the pack, the night is sure to be a star-studded celebration of Black excellence.
