Angela Bassett Is Set To Receive An Honorary Oscar Next Year, And People On Twitter Are Outraged

BuzzFeed

8 September 2023 at 1:31 pm·4-min read

Fans are pleading with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to put some respect on Angela Bassett's name.

A closeup of Angela Basset smiling — Emma Mcintyre / Getty Images

On Wednesday, the Associated Press announced that Angela Bassett is set to receive an honorary Oscar next year, along with actor/filmmaker Mel Brooks and film editor Carol Littleton.

A closeup of Angela Basset on the Oscars red carpet wearing a strapless and a large diamond necklace — Gilbert Flores / Variety via Getty Images

The honorary statuettes used to be given out during the actual Oscars ceremony, but it became its own event in 2009. The untelevised dinner allows fellow actors and industry friends to give lengthier, more personal speeches before the honorees accept their award.

Ariana DeBose accepting her Oscar — Robyn Beck / AFP via Getty Images

While this is being presented as an honored gesture, many fans aren't taking it that way, because Angela was robbed of a real Academy Award throughout her incredible career.

A closeup of Angela Basset on the red carpet of the Screen Actors Guild Awards wearing an off-the-shoulder chiffon dress — Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

Despite her lengthy filmography, Angela has only been nominated for an Oscar twice. The first time was in 1994, when she was up for Best Actress for her spectacular portrayal of Tina Turner in What's Love Got to Do with It.

Angela Bassest as Tina Turner stands with Laurence Fishburne as Ike Turner standing close behind her — D. Stevens / ©Buena Vista Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection

She was nominated for Best Supporting Actress nearly three decades later in 2023 for her emotional performance as Queen Ramonda in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Fans were so sure Angela was going to take home the award for Wakanda Forever, they even campaigned on Twitter for her to win an Oscar months before the nominees were revealed.

The respected actor has given Hollywood countless unforgettable performances, both on the small and big screen. From Malcolm X and Waiting to Exhale to The Jacksons: An American Dream and American Horror Story, Angela has shown us time and time again why people use words like "incomparable" and "iconic" to describe her.

So, when people on Twitter found out about the honorary Oscar she's expected to be given, they had a lot of thoughts:

It’s so funny that it’s called an “honorary” Oscar. Do you feel honoured Angela Bassett? They should call it the fuck you Oscar. Give her a real one idiots. https://t.co/uPbCFkOMCZ
— antipodean scourge (@guywhoiswoke) September 8, 2023

Michael Rowe/Getty Images for IMDb / Walt Disney Studios / Buena Vista / 20th Century Fox / Paramount Pictures

An honorary Oscar is low key so disrespectful, it’s basically saying “here, since you couldn’t actually win one we’ll just give you one for trying”
— Nic 🏰 (@Nic_castle_) September 7, 2023

Twitter: @Nic_castle_

Something about it being honorary doesn’t sit right with my spirit. She should have at least 3 or 4 by now & not as some “honorary” participation trophy.
— Ashlee (@tweetwithashlee) September 7, 2023

Twitter: @tweetwithashlee

🤔 I don't think I would accept this if I were her. She should have won at least 2 Oscars by now, especially for "Waiting to Exhale". Honorary is subpar. So then, how will she be described & announced going forward - "starring Honorary Academy Award Winner, Angela Bassett"? 😕
— 22sunsets (@22sunsets) September 7, 2023

Twitter: @22sunsets

Jamie Lee Curtis should be being given an honorary Oscar and Angela Bassett should be a competitive Oscar winner https://t.co/3N4L5wJG32
— lewisjwr 🫨🪩 (@lewisjwr) September 7, 2023

Michael Rowe/Getty Images for IMDb / Walt Disney Studios / Buena Vista / 20th Century Fox / Paramount Pictures

There should be nothing “honorary” about Angela Bassett receiving an Oscar. Her repertoire is FAR too decorated. https://t.co/ydksvjQLYr
— ❤️‍🔥Shang Tsung Apologist™️ (@RavenK_) September 7, 2023

Michael Rowe/Getty Images for IMDb / Walt Disney Studios / Buena Vista / 20th Century Fox / Paramount Pictures

i hate yall and these “honorary oscars” when angela bassett has role after role after role deserving of oscars and was snubbed after time. and you know DAMN WELL no one from the academy is gonna say anything about how fucked up it is that she has yet to receive one. https://t.co/ukvFzGXD2I
— anna (@moonfr0gs) September 7, 2023

Michael Rowe/Getty Images for IMDb / Walt Disney Studios / Buena Vista / 20th Century Fox / Paramount Pictures

Angela Bassett not winning an Oscar for What’s Love Got To Do With It is still criminal. She did what needed to be done!
— Certified Hoodie Thief 🏁💍 (@KryssyLaReina) September 5, 2023

Twitter: @KryssyLaReina

I don't usually weigh in on these topics but Angela Bassett and Kerry Condon losing to Jaime Lee Curtis is one of the most absurd Oscar decisions ever. https://t.co/Na73ES3re0
— Bruce. (@Ovundar) September 1, 2023

Walt Disney Studios / Twitter: @Ovundar

Giving Angela Bassett an honorary Oscar is a slap in her face and OURS!
— Kween🫶🏾 (@kewchinspector) September 7, 2023

Twitter: @kewchinspector

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Angela Bassett Is Set To Receive An Honorary Oscar Next Year, And People On Twitter Are Outraged

Fans are pleading with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to put some respect on Angela Bassett's name.

On Wednesday, the Associated Press announced that Angela Bassett is set to receive an honorary Oscar next year, along with actor/filmmaker Mel Brooks and film editor Carol Littleton.

The honorary statuettes used to be given out during the actual Oscars ceremony, but it became its own event in 2009. The untelevised dinner allows fellow actors and industry friends to give lengthier, more personal speeches before the honorees accept their award.

While this is being presented as an honored gesture, many fans aren't taking it that way, because Angela was robbed of a real Academy Award throughout her incredible career.

Despite her lengthy filmography, Angela has only been nominated for an Oscar twice. The first time was in 1994, when she was up for Best Actress for her spectacular portrayal of Tina Turner in What's Love Got to Do with It.

She was nominated for Best Supporting Actress nearly three decades later in 2023 for her emotional performance as Queen Ramonda in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Fans were so sure Angela was going to take home the award for Wakanda Forever, they even campaigned on Twitter for her to win an Oscar months before the nominees were revealed.

So, when people on Twitter found out about the honorary Oscar she's expected to be given, they had a lot of thoughts:

And although I'm happy to celebrate Angela in any capacity, I agree with the sentiments stated in the above tweets.

The honorary Oscar will be given to Angela on Jan. 9.