The 55th NAACP Image Awards, which honors celebrates Black excellence in film, TV, music, and literature during the 2023 calendar year, turned out to be a star-studded affair.
Kerry Washington was among the A-listers to grace the red carpet and the stage during the ceremony that was aired on BET and simulcasted on CBS.
The Scandal star was there as both a presenter and a nominee.
Washington stunned in a green gown with a plunging neckline and dramatic train that followed several feet behind her.
The actress had her long raven locks stylishly pulled up into a loose bun that showed off her sparkly earrings.
Kerry Washington, 47, stunned onlookers as she arrived at the NAACP Image Awards on Saturday night in Los Angeles
Washington represented the Hulu comedy series UnPrisoned as a nominee for Outstanding Actress In A Comedy Series for her role as Paige Alexander
Washington, 47, came to the event representing her series UnPrisoned as a nominee for Outstanding Actress In A Comedy Series for her role as Paige Alexander in the comedy Hulu series UnPrisoned.
She faced stiff competition in the category, which included Meagan Good (Harlem), Michelle Buteau (Survival of the Thickest), Tichina Arnold (The Neighborhood) and Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary), who would ended up taking home the award.
Previously, Washington had won four NAACP Image Awards that included Outstanding Actress In A Motion Picture for the biopic Ray in 2005, Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Motion Picture for the revisionist Western film Django Unchained in 2013, and Outstanding Actress In A Drama Series twice for the drama Scandal in 2013 and 2014.
The acclaimed actress has also been recognized at the NAACP Image Awards with the NAACP President’s Award in 2013, which is given in recognition of special achievement and exceptional public service.
Washington was also paired with her UnPrisoned co-star Delroy Lindo as presenters during this year’s ceremony.
Lindo, who plays Washington’s onscreen father Edwin Alexander father in the hit comedy show, was nominated for Outstanding Actor In A Comedy Series, along with Cedric The Entertainer (The Neighborhood), Dulé Hill (The Wonder Years), and Tone Bell (Survival of the Thickest) and Mike Epps (The Upshaws).
It was Epps who ended up being awarded the trophy for Outstanding Actor In A Comedy Series for his role as Bennie Upshaw in the Netflix sitcom.
UnPrisoned was also among the five shows to be nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series along with Harlem, Survival of the Thickest, The Neighborhood, and ABC mockumentary sitcom Abbott Elementary, which ultimately won the honors.
Washington stunned in a green gown
Her gown had a plunging neckline and dramatic train that followed several feet behind her
Washington was paired with her UnPrisoned co-star Delroy Lindo as presenters
Washington was absolutely glowing when she took the stage with her onscreen dad
Lindo and Washington got animated when they shared the spotlight as presenters
Lindo, 71, was nominated for nominated for Outstanding Actor In A Comedy Series for UnPrisoned, which ultimately went to Mike Epps (The Upshaws)
Queen Latifah served as the host of the event all decked out in a lavender ensemble
Washington was able to take a moment to chat with superstars Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry
Taraji P. Henson and Keke Palmer spent some time hanging with Washington
Lindo and Washington’s comedy series UnPrisoned was also nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series along with Harlem, Survival of the Thickest, The Neighborhood, and ABC mockumentary sitcom Abbott Elementary, which ultimately won the honor
Honorees include poet laureate Amanda Gorman who was be honored with the prestigious Chairman’s Award and R&B supergroup New Edition received the Hall of Fame Award.
Along with Lindo and Washington the other stars to serve as presenters including the likes of Deon Cole, Diarra Kilpatrick, Donnie Wahlberg, Erika Alexander, Idris Elba, Jeffrey Wright, Keke Palmer, Kenya Barris, Leslie Jones, Lil Rel Howery, Morris Chestnut, Ryan Michelle Bathe, Sabrina Elba, Sterling K. Brown and Taraji P. Henson.
Lindo had previously won two NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series for Law and Order: SVU in 2009 and Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture for The Harder They Fall in 2022.
The Lewisham, London, England native’s career highlights include appearing in such films as Malcolm X (1992), Crooklyn (1994), Get Shorty (1995), Clockers (1995), Gone in 60 Seconds (2000), The Cider House Rules (1999), Da 5 Bloods (2020), as well as the Fox series The Chicago Code (2011).
