Award season isn’t quite in full swing, but it’s already heating up. On January 6th, the
NAACP Image Awards announced their nominees at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills. Taye Diggs, Wanda Sykes, Michael Strahan, Kyle Massey, Chris Massey, and Tatyana Ali were on hand to deliver good news to the lucky 265 who were singled out among 1200 entries for their talent and dedication to diversity.
“I
saw ‘Precious.’ Should I be nominated?” joked Wanda Sykes when announcing the motion picture categories and the film’s eight nominations. The comedian was, indeed, already nominated for both her variety program
The Wanda Sykes Show and HBO special
Wanda Sykes: I'ma Be Me.
Though Kyle Massey didn’t walk home with a nomination, he found solace in a fellow presenter. The
That’s So Raven star stole a hug from Tatiana Ali who’d just finished sharing the television categories. “They do that at all of the award shows,” he joked. “They give people hugs—so I thought I
had to do it.” Ali giggled from the sidelines.
Not everyone could keep up with the excitement. “Please excuse my cold,” offered a monotone Taye Diggs, as he hit the podium to reveal the recording categories. The “Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series” nominee kept things strictly business as he ran through the list, but laughed when an over-excited audience member loudly clapped for Maxwell’s “Pretty Wings.” “That’s good to know,” he added. “I love it too.”
The
Private Practice star’s cold kept him from talking with the press, but Wanda Sykes quickly made the media rounds before rushing back to set. “It means a lot,” she told
TV Guide Magazine. “It’s nice to be recognized by your peers. These people are at the forefront of equality for all.”
“We have Snoop Dogg, Neil Patrick Harris, and Niecy Nash on the show this week—so I have to get back to work,” she said. “I’m just trying to do my best and not embarrass anybody.”
Tune into The 41st NAACP Image Awards when it airs live February 26th on Fox. Check out the complete list of nominees
here!