“Wakanda Forever” and “Woman King“ lead in nominations for the 54th NAACP Image Awards

The 54th annual NAACP image awards will air live in Pasadena, California February 25th, 2023. For the first time in three years the show will return to an in person event with a live audience.

The full list of nominees has been released, ABC and Netflix have a combined total of 28 nominations. Live voting will be open until February 10th, 2023.

Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP stated, “This year’s nominees have conveyed a wide range of authentic stories and diverse experiences that have resonated with many in our community, and we’re proud to recognize their outstanding achievements and performances.”

Groundbreaking films such as Black Panther: Wakanda Forever are leading with 12 nominations, along with the Woman King following with nine awards.

In the music recording categories, Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar are tied with five nominations. RCA Records / RCA Inspiration received 11 nominations as a record label.

With more than 80 competitive categories revolving around television, recording film, podcasts, and entertainment, the NAACP added three new categories including outstanding hairstyling, outstanding make-up and outstanding costume design.

The 2023 Nominations:

Entertainer of the Year

Angela Bassett
Mary J. Blige
Quinta Brunson
Viola Davis
Zendaya

Outstanding Motion Picture

A Jazzman’s Blues (Netflix)
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Marvel Studios)
Emancipation (Apple TV)
The Woman King (Sony Pictures Releasing)
TILL (United Artists Releasing/Orion Pictures)

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

Daniel Kaluuya – Nope (Universal Pictures)
Jonathan Majors – Devotion (Sony Pictures Entertainment)
Joshua Boone – A Jazzman’s Blues (Netflix)
Sterling K. Brown – Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul (Focus Features)
Will Smith – Emancipation (Apple)

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture

Danielle Deadwyler – TILL (United Artists Releasing/Orion Pictures)
Keke Palmer – Alice (Vertical Entertainment)
Letitia Wright – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Marvel Studios)
Regina Hall – Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul (Focus Features)
Viola Davis – The Woman King (Sony Pictures Releasing)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

Aldis Hodge – Black Adam (Warner Bros. Pictures / New Line Cinema)
Cliff “Method Man” Smith – On The Come Up (Paramount Pictures)
Jalyn Hall – TILL (United Artists Releasing/Orion Pictures)
John Boyega – The Woman King (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Tenoch Huerta – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Marvel Studios)

Outstanding Comedy Series

Abbott Elementary (ABC)
Atlanta (FX)
black-ish (ABC)
Rap Sh!t (HBO Max)
The Wonder Years (ABC)

Outstanding Drama Series

Bel-Air (Peacock)
Bridgerton (Netflix)
Euphoria (HBO Max)
P-Valley (Starz)
Queen Sugar (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)

OUTSTANDING SOCIAL MEDIA PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

@Theconsciousless- George Lee
@thechristishow – Christianee Porter
@earnyourleisure – Troy Millings & Rashad Bilal
@KevOnStage – Kevin Fredericks
@lynaevanee – Lynae Vanee

Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special)

#RolandMartinUnfiltered: Black Votes Matter Election Night 2022 Coverage (Black Star Network/YouTube)
ABC News 20/20 Michelle Obama: The Light We Carry, A Conversation with Robin Roberts (ABC)
Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (PBS)
OWN Spotlight: Viola Davis – The Woman King (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)
The Hair Tales (Hulu)

Outstanding Talk Series