Angela Bassett, known for her role as Queen Ramonda in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, recently shared her thoughts on her Oscar snub for her performance in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever at the 95th Academy Awards in 2023. The film, which paid tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman, follows T'Challa's family as they defend their land and people in his memory. Notably, Letitia Wright's Shuri and Angela Bassett's Queen Ramonda took center stage alongside other cast members like Danai Gurira's Okoye and Winston Duke's M'Baku.
Despite receiving an Academy Award nomination for her exceptional performance, Bassett did not win the Best Supporting Actress award, which went to Jamie Lee Curtis for her role in Everything Everywhere All At Once. In an interview on Oprah's OWN Spotlight series, Bassett expressed her disappointment at not winning, describing it as a 'supreme disappointment' and acknowledging the human aspect of feeling let down.
Reflecting on her composed reaction during the ceremony, Bassett explained her intention to handle the situation gracefully, emphasizing the importance of demonstrating resilience in the face of disappointment, especially as a role model for her children. She emphasized the value of maintaining grace and kindness in challenging moments.
While Bassett did not secure the Oscar win, her nomination marked a significant milestone in the MCU's history, being the first Academy Award nomination for a performance in an MCU film. Throughout the awards season, Bassett received a total of 22 nominations for her role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, spanning various prestigious ceremonies such as the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and BET Awards.
Angela Bassett's achievements in the MCU have set records, with her eight wins standing as an MCU record. Notably, she became the first MCU actor to win a Golden Globe for her performance and the first to receive a BAFTA nomination for an MCU movie. Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever have not only excelled in Performance categories but also garnered recognition in Original Score and Best Picture categories.
While Boseman posthumously received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor at the 92nd Academy Awards, Ruth E. Carter, the costume designer for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, secured an Academy Award for Best Costume Design. The film received a total of five Oscar nominations, with Carter's win being the sole victory, despite also being nominated in categories like Best Original Song, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and Best Visual Effects.
Angela Bassett's collaboration with Ruth E. Carter dates back to the 1993 film What's Love Got to Do with It, where Bassett's portrayal of Tina Turner earned her first Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
