Friday, March 02, 2007
posted by Chi-Chi at 3/02/2007 | Permalink
The 38th Annual NAACP Image Awards
Actor Omar Epps with wife Keisha Epps, soap star Renee Goldsberry, actress Vanessa L. Williams, actress Raven Symone, and actor/Diana's son, Evan Ross attended the 38th Annual NAACP Image Awards at LA's Shrine Auditorium. "U2's Bono is being honored at the NAACP Image Awards tonight for his outstanding contribution in the fight against AIDS and global poverty." [source] Pictured above is S. Epatha Merkerson and Jesse L. Martin. [S. Epatha Merkerson, nominated for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series for her work on “Law & Order,” and Jesse L. Martin, nominated for outstanding actor in a drama series for his work on “Law & Order.”]
[Evan Ross pictured above. Catch him next in 'Pride' co-starring Terrence Howard.]
[Renee Goldsberry pictued above. She filled in a guest spot on "The View." Renee is nominated for outstanding actress in a daytime drama series for her work on “One Life to Live."]
[Omar Epps with wife Keisha Spivey pictured above. Keisha used to be in the Bad Boy girl group Total. Omar is nominated for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series for his work on ''House."]
[The Cheetah Girls, pictured above.]
"Ugly Betty" star Vanessa L. Williams with her look-a-like daughter.
[actress Aisha Tyler.]
[Ana Ortiz of "Ugly Betty."]
["Dreamgirls" star Loretta Devine with McSteamy's wife Rebecca Gayheart.]
[actress Tawny Cypress of "Hereos."]
[actor Bryton McClure. Bryton used to be on "Family Matters" as the little Michael Jackson impersonator.]
[actresses Meagan Good and Tia Mowry. Meagan with her "Stomp the Yard" co-star Columbus Short.]
["Dreamgirls" star and Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose. Anika Noni has two films to be released shortly called, "One Part Sugar" and the USA TV premiere, "The Starter Wife."]
[Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose with Grammy winner MJB.]
[America Ferrera of "Ugly Betty.]
[happily married couple Tisha Campbell and Duane Martin.]
[actress Tia Mowry of "The Game."]
[Meagan Good with her man.]
[Recent three-time Grammy winner MJB with her husband Kendu Isaacs.]
[Jada Pinkett Smith with an actor that appeared on her TV show, "All About Us."]
["Girlfriends" star Keesha Sharp.]
[Raven Symone, above, winner Oustanding Actress in a Comedy Series for "That's So Raven"]
[Vanessa L. Williams, pictured above, winner Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for "Ugly Betty"]
[actress Nia Long. Catch her next in "Premonition."]
[actress and newly single Kerry Washington. Catch her next in the Chris Rock romantic comedy, "I Think I Love My Wife."]
[Mary J. Blige, winner NAACP Image Award, with Russell Simmons and Tracee Ellis Ross, presenters]
Tracee Ellis Ross, winner Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series, "Girlfriends."
[model/talk show host Tyra Banks.]
Mo'Nique and Naomi Campbell, presenters
Raven Symone and Keke Palmer, presenters
[Keke Palmer, winner Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for "Akeelah and the Bee"]
Lisa Raye and Duane Martin, presenters
[actress Sanaa Lathan presenting the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Movie to Oscar winner Forest Whitaker.]
Whitaker's acceptance speech: "Doing this role gave me so many blessings. One was being able to go back to Africa and touch my roots. One was being able to go back to Africa and touch my roots."
Kimberly Elise and Terrence Howard, presenters
[Kimberly Elise, winner Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for "Close to Home"]
[Jennifer Hudson, winner Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for "Dreamgirls"]
Kimberly Elise and Terrence Howard, presenters
[Kimberly Elise, winner Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for "Close to Home"]
[Jennifer Hudson, winner Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for "Dreamgirls"]
Hudson's acceptance speech: "There is nothing like being recognised and honoured by your own."
[Forest Whitaker, winner Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for "The Last King of Scotland"]
[Bill Cosby, inductee into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame, with Keke Palmer and Raven Symone, presenters]
[Bono, recipient of the NAACP Chairman's Award]
[Bernie Mac and Nia Long, presenters]
[Anika Noni Rose and Hill Harper, presenters]
[Cast and crew of "Ugly Betty," winner Outstanding Comedy Series]
[Hill Harper, winner Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series for "CSI: New York"; Omar Epps, winner Oustanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for "House" ; Reggie Hayes, cast member, winner Oustanding Comedy Series for "Girlfriends"]
[View pictures of Djimon Hounsou with Nia Long over at Feels Good 2 B Home.]
[Forest Whitaker, winner Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for "The Last King of Scotland"]
[Bill Cosby, inductee into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame, with Keke Palmer and Raven Symone, presenters]
[Bono, recipient of the NAACP Chairman's Award]
[Bernie Mac and Nia Long, presenters]
[Anika Noni Rose and Hill Harper, presenters]
[Cast and crew of "Ugly Betty," winner Outstanding Comedy Series]
[Hill Harper, winner Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series for "CSI: New York"; Omar Epps, winner Oustanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for "House" ; Reggie Hayes, cast member, winner Oustanding Comedy Series for "Girlfriends"]
[View pictures of Djimon Hounsou with Nia Long over at Feels Good 2 B Home.]
Labels: Aisha Tyler, America Ferrera, Ana Ortiz, Evan Ross, Kerry Washington, Meagan Good, Naomi Campbell, Nia Long, Omar Epps, Raven Symone, Russell Simmons, Tia Mowry, Tyra Banks, Vanessa L. Williams
Oscar winners Forest Whitaker and Jennifer Hudson kept their winning streaks alive Friday, while "Grey's Anatomy" star Isaiah Washington claimed a best actor prize at the 38th annual NAACP Image Awards. "Ugly Betty" took top television honors.
Hudson, a former "American Idol" finalist, garnered a best supporting actress award for her role in the musical "Dreamgirls," the same category she won at the Academy Awards on Sunday.
"There is nothing like being recognized and honored by your own," said Hudson.
Whitaker, who won a best actor Oscar for "The Last King of Scotland," earned the same prize at Friday's ceremony, which honor projects and individuals who promote diversity in the arts.
"Doing this role gave me so many blessings," said Whitaker, who plays a Ugandan dictator in the film. "One was being able to go back to Africa and touch my roots."
Washington, who has been sharply criticized for uttering a gay slur on the set of his hit show, scored best actor for a drama series.
"I'm humbled and honored to be recognized by the NAACP," said Washington, who announced earlier this year he would seek help after receiving a torrent of negative publicity for his comments.
"The first time I was up here I felt deserving of something," he added. "This time I feel privileged."
"The Pursuit of Happyness," starring Will Smith and his son, won best picture honors. Keke Palmer nabbed best actress for "Akeelah and the Bee," and Djimon Hounsou took best supporting actor for "Blood Diamond."
"This film means a lot to me for the simple reason that I'm from Africa," said Hounsou to loud applause.
Rapper LL Cool J hosted the awards.
"I won't ask you why the chicken crossed the road," Cool J joked, telling the crowd it was his first time as a host. "I just ask that you bear with me. I'm going to try to carry this thing with dignity."
Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama (news, bio, voting record) won a literary nonfiction Image Award for his book "The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream." Obama, a U.S. senator from Illinois, did not attend the ceremony.
Vanessa Williams got the nod for best supporting actress in a comedy for "Ugly Betty," which also won for best television comedy series.
The show is "a story about family, about feeling like an outsider, and as African-Americans in this business know, often we feel like an outsider," said Williams.
America Ferrera, who plays Betty, said the show was successful because American viewers were anxious to see a show that represented the country's diverse communities.
"We knew theme would connect with the American people, who wanted to see fresh faces they can connect with on television," said Ferrera.
Prince, who was awarded best male music artist, read a poem about protecting the environment.
"Fifty years from now what will they say about us?" Prince asked.
Chandra Wilson won best supporting actress in a drama series for "Grey's Anatomy." She said she wished her deceased father could have been with her, as Friday would have been his birthday.
"His little daughter is real happy to be standing here," she said.
CNN's Soledad O'Brien was given the honorary President's Award for her work as a journalist. Honorary recognition also included Bill Cosby's induction into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame and the Chairman's Award to Bono.
To repeated standing ovations, Bono talked about the need to eradicate poverty in the world.
"Today the world looks again to the NAACP," said Bono. "We need the community that taught world about civil rights to teach it about human rights."
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On the Net:
http://www.naacpimageawards.net/imageawards38.html