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Angela Bassett’s royalty as an actress can hardly be denied by anyone in Hollywood. Being the most coveted black actor out there, theWhat’s Love Got to Do with It starhas landed nominations for two Oscars and seven Primetime Emmy Awards, in her long list of achievements Having said that, the lady has been extremely picky as she exploded into movie stardom over decades.
Bassett, who is known for playing versatile roles from Tuna Turner, to reprising the ever-glorious Queen of Wakanda inBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever, turned down Halle Berry’s Oscar-winning role inMonster’s Ballbecause she felt that the role of a prostitute is such a stereotype about black women and their sexuality.
For Angela Bassett, It’s All About Character, Darling!
Angela Bassettleft her fans with mixed emotions after she died a glorious death inBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever.But again, the actress has been in the slay game since the 80s. Starring in movies, like, Waiting to ExhaleandHow Stella Got Her Groove Back,she has become a totem of empowered Black womanhood, especially in the 90s.
During an interview, Angela Basset revealed she turned down a“demeaning prostitute role”in the $45 millionMonster’s Ballthat landed Halley Berry an Oscar. As Bassett gracefully said,“It’s all about character, darling!” she further narrated:
”I wasn’t going to be a prostitute on film,” she says. (Not literally a prostitute — the character is a waitress who has an affair with her convict husband’s executioner.) ”I couldn’t do that because it’s such a stereotype about black women and sexuality.”
The film is forever. It’s about putting something out there you can be proud of 10 years later. I mean, Meryl Streep won Oscars without all that.”
Behind that diamond-sharp beauty and strength, lies a woman who has been extremely particular about picking up her character. Despite her stellar performances, the actress hasn’t received an Academy Award yet. Marvel star,Halle Berry, on the other hand, became the first black woman to win an Oscar for Best Actress forMonster’s Ball.
Also Read:Marvel Star Halle Berry’s Faulty Immune System Gave Her a Disease She’s Been Living With Since 30 Years, Still Maintains a Stunning Form at 56
Angela Bassett’s Oscar Win Is Long Overdue!
Angela Bassett’s revelation about turning up an Oscar-winning role inMonster’s Balldid confuse a lot of people because Halley Berry didn’t exactly play a prostitute in the movie. But again, the movie did feature Die Another Day’s Bond Girl in explicit scenes.
While Bassett’s comments remain puzzling and debatable, the actress did make a point about winning an Oscar. During the same interview, when the actress was asked about how an“Oscar loss seems like a debt waiting to be paid,”she famously said:
“I would love to have an Oscar. But it has to be for something I can sleep with it at night.”
Also Read:“This is in bad taste”: Marvel Star Angela Bassett Doesn’t Clap for Jamie Lee Curtis’ Win at the Oscars, Ignites Fierce Debate Among Fans
Bassett, now 64, did manage to get an Oscar nomination for her role as Ramonda inBlack Panther: Wakanda Foreverat the 95th Academy Awards, but that’s a painful loss she shared with another star, Austin Butler, who secured a nomination forElvis. While Butler has a long way to go, it’s high time that Bassett takes that long-due win home.
What’s also trueis that Monster’s Ballcouldn’t have been the only Oscar-winning performance if Bassett would have kept an open mind towards the character. The actress has nothing to prove when it comes to playing strong characters on-screen. But again, she hasn’t given up hope yet neither has her fans.
Monster’s Ballis streaming on Hulu
Also Read:“There was a reason why it didn’t happen”: Marvel Star Angela Bassett on Getting ‘Robbed’ by Oscars Despite Iconic Role
Source:Insider
Mallika Singh
Articles Published :204
I am Mallika Singh, a lawyer and writer by profession. Writing gives me a sense of freedom and independence. I am a keen observer and an ardent reader. When not at work, you can find me at the stable. Horse riding is another passion that keeps me going.
