The full list of nominees for the 53rd annual NAACP Image Awards has been unleashed, and from the looks of things it’s going to be a pretty tight race.
Insecure and The Harder They Fall have snagged a whopping 12 nominations, and Jennifer Hudson, Lil Nas X, H.E.R., Jazmine Sullivan, Silk Sonic, and Megan Thee Stallion have all received nomination recognition.
Since Hollywood refuses to reward diverse talent (there’s already complaints about the lack of black nominees for the upcoming SAG awards), I sincerely hope that people in and outside of Black Hollywood will support award shows like the NAACP Image Awards, the BET awards, and the Soul Train awards.
The NAACP Image Awards are scheduled to air live on BET February 26.
Check out the full list of nominees below…
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES Jennifer Hudson Lil Nas X Megan Thee Stallion Regina King Tiffany Haddish
OUTSTANDING MOTION PICTURE
Judas and the Black Messiah King Richard Respect The Harder They Fall The United States vs. Billie Holiday
Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
Denzel Washington, The Tragedy of Macbeth Jonathan Majors, The Harder They Fall LaKeith Stanfield, Judas and the Black Messiah Mahershala Ali, Swan Song Will Smith, King Richard Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
Andra Day, The United States vs. Billie Holiday Halle Berry, Bruised Jennifer Hudson, Respect Tessa Thompson, Passing Zendaya, Malcolm & Marie Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
Algee Smith, Judas and the Black Messiah Daniel Kaluuya, Judas and the Black Messiah Delroy Lindo, The Harder They Fall Idris Elba, The Harder They Fall LaKeith Stanfield, The Harder They Fall Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Aunjanue Ellis, King Richard Audra McDonald, Respect ) Danielle Deadwyler, The Harder They Fall Dominique Fishback, Judas and the Black Messiah Regina King, The Harder They Fall Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
American Skin Bruised CODA Test Pattern The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain Outstanding International Motion Picture
7 Prisoners African America Eyimofe (This is My Desire) Flee The Gravedigger’s Wife Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture
Ariana DeBose, West Side Story Danny Boyd, Jr., Bruised Jalon Christian, A Journal For Jordan Lonnie Chavis, The Water Man Sheila Atim, Bruised Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture
Coming 2 America Judas and the Black Messiah King Richard Respect The Harder They Fall Outstanding Animated Motion Picture
Encanto Luca Raya and the Last Dragon Sing 2 Vivo Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance – Motion Picture
Andre Braugher, Spirit Untamed Awkwafina, Raya and the Last Dragon Brian Tyree Henry, Vivo Eric André, Sing 2 Letitia Wright, Sing 2 Outstanding Short-Form (Live Action)
Aurinko in Adagio Blackout The Ice Cream Stop These Final Hours When The Sun Sets (Lakutshon’ Ilanga) Outstanding Short-Form (Animated)
Blush Robin Robin She Dreams at Sunrise Twenty Something Us Again Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Summer Of Soul (…Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised) Jamila Wignot, Ailey Jeymes Samuel, The Harder They Fall Liesl Tommy, Respect Rebecca Hall, Passing TELEVISION + STREAMING CATEGORIES Outstanding Comedy Series
black-ish Harlem Insecure Run the World The Upshaws Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
Anthony Anderson, black-ish Cedric the Entertainer, The Neighborhood Don Cheadle, Black Monday Elisha ‘EJ’ Williams, The Wonder Years Jay Ellis, Insecure Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
Issa Rae, Insecure Loretta Devine, Family Reunion Regina Hall, Black Monday Tracee Ellis Ross, black-ish Yvonne Orji, Insecure Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Andre Braugher – Brooklyn Nine-Nine (NBC) Deon Cole, black-ish Kenan Thompson – Saturday Night Live (NBC) Kendrick Sampson, Insecure Laurence Fishburne, black-ish Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Amanda Seales, Insecure Jenifer Lewis, black-ish Marsai Martin, black-ish Natasha Rothwell, Insecure Wanda Sykes, The Upshaws Outstanding Drama Series
9-1-1 All American Godfather of Harlem Pose Queen Sugar Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
Billy Porter, Pose Damson Idris, Snowfall Forest Whitaker, Godfather of Harlem Kofi Siriboe, Queen Sugar Sterling K. Brown, This is Us Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
Angela Bassett, 9-1-1 Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Queen Sugar Octavia Spencer, Truth Be Told Queen Latifah, The Equalizer Rutina Wesley, Queen Sugar
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Alex R. Hibbert, The Chi Cliff “Method Man” Smith, Power Book II: Ghost Daniel Ezra, All American Giancarlo Esposito, Godfather of Harlem Joe Morton, Our Kind of People Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Alfre Woodard, SEE Bianca Lawson, Queen Sugar Chandra Wilson, Grey’s Anatomy Mary J. Blige, Power Book II: Ghost Susan Kelechi Watson, This is Us Outstanding Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special
Colin in Black & White Genius: Aretha Love Life Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia The Underground Railroad Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special
Anthony Mackie, Solos Jaden Michael, Colin in Black & White Kevin Har, True Story Wesley Snipes, True Story William Jackson Harper, Love Life Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special
Betty Gabriel, Clickbait Cynthia Erivo, Genius: Aretha Danielle Brooks, Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia Jodie Turner-Smith, Anne Boleyn Taraji P. Henson, Annie Live! Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special
Courtney B. Vance, Genius: Aretha Keith David, Black As Night Tituss Burgess, Annie Live! Will Catlett, True Story William Jackson Harper, The Underground Railroad Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special
Anika Noni Rose, Maid Natasha Rothwell, The White Lotus Pauletta Washington, Genius: Aretha Regina Hall, Nine Perfect Strangers Sheila Atim, The Underground Railroad
Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special)
Blood on Black Wall Street: The Legacy of the Tulsa Massacre NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt Soul of A Nation The Reidout Unsung Outstanding Talk Series
Desus & Mero Hart to Heart Red Table Talk Tamron Hall The Real Outstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition or Game Show (Series)
Celebrity Family Feud Iyanla: Fix My Life Sweet Life: Los Angeles The Voice Wild ‘n Out Outstanding Variety Show (Series or Special)
A Black Lady Sketch Show BET Awards 2021 Dave Chappelle: The Closer Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 3 The Daily Show with Trevor Noah Outstanding Children’s Program
Ada Twist, Scientist Family Reunion Karma’s World Raven’s Home Waffles + Mochi Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited-Series)
Alayah “Lay Lay” High, That Girl Lay Lay Celina Smith, Annie Live! Elisha ‘EJ’ Williams, The Wonder Years Eris Baker, This Is Us Miles Brown, black-ish Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble
Joy Reid, The Reidout Daniel “Desus Nice” Baker, Joel “The Kid Mero” Martinez, Desus & Mero Garcelle Beauvais, Adrienne Houghton, Loni Love, Jeannie Mai Jenkins, The Real Jada Pinkett Smith, Adrienne Banfield-Norris, Willow Smith, Red Table Talk LeBron James, The Shop: Uninterrupted Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble
Alfonso Ribeiro, America’s Funniest Home Videos Amber Ruffin, The Amber Ruffin Show Cedric The Entertainer, 73rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Iyanla Vanzant, Iyanla: Fix My Life Trevor Noah, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah Outstanding Guest Performance
Alani “La La” Anthony, The Chi Christina Elmore, Insecure Daniel Kaluuya, Saturday Night Live Erika Alexander, Run the World Maya Rudolph, Saturday Night Live Outstanding Animated Series
Big Mouth Peanut Headz: Black History Toonz Super Sema We The People Yasuke Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television)
Angela Bassett, Malika: The Lion Queen Billy Porter, Fairfax Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Karma’s World Cree Summer, Rugrats Keke Palmer, Big Mouth Outstanding Short Form Series – Comedy or Drama
Between the Scenes – The Daily Show Dark Humor Della Mae The Disney Launchpad: Shorts Incubator Two Sides: Unfaithful Outstanding Short Form Series or Special – Reality/Nonfiction
Life By The Horns Memory Builds The Monument Widen the Screen: 8:46 Films Through Our Eyes: Shelter Lynching Postcards: Token of a Great Day Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)
Angel Kristi Williams, Colin in Black & White Cierra Glaude, Queen Sugar Deborah Riley Draper, The Legacy of Black Wall Street Halcyon Person, Karma’s World Quyen Tran, Maid RECORDING CATEGORIES Outstanding New Artist
Cynthia Erivo Jimmie Allen Saweetie Tems Zoe Wees Outstanding Male Artist
Anthony Hamilton Drake Givēon J. Cole Lil Nas X Outstanding Female Artist
H.E.R Ari Lennox Beyoncé Chlöe Jazmine Sullivan
Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album
Anthems & Glory – Todd Dulaney Believe For It – CeCe Winans Jonny x Mali: Live in L.A. – Jonathan McReynolds and Mali Music Overcomer – Tamela Mann Power – Jason McGee & The Choir Outstanding International Song
“Essence” – Wizkid feat. Tems and Justin Bieber “Peru” – Fireboy DML “Somebody’s Son” – Tiwa Savage feat. Brandy “Touch It” – KiDi “Understand” – Omah Lay Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album
“Best Friend” – Saweetie feat. Doja Cat “Essence” – Wizkid feat. Tems “Fye Fye” – Tobe Nwigwe feat. Fat Nwigwe “Have Mercy” – Chlöe “Leave The Door Open” – Silk Sonic Outstanding Album
An Evening with Silk Sonic – Silk Sonic Back of My Mind – H.E.R. Certified Lover Boy – Drake Heaux Tales – Jazmine Sullivan When It’s All Said and Done… Take Time – Givēon Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album
Coming 2 America (Amazon Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – Eddie Murphy, Craig Brewer, Kevin Misher, Randy Spendlove, Jeff Harleston, Brittney Ramsdell Judas and the Black Messiah (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – Mark Isham and Craig Harris Respect (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – Jason Michael Webb and Stephen Bray The Harder They Fall (The Motion Picture Soundtrack) – JAY-Z and Jeymes Samuel The United States vs. Billie Holiday (Music from the Motion Picture) – Salaam Remi, Andra Day, Raphael Saadiq, Warren “E” Felder, Downtown Trevor Brown Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song
“Believe For It” – CeCe Winans “Help Me” – Tamela Mann feat. The Fellas “Hold Us Together (Hope Mix)” – H.E.R. and Tauren Wells “Overcome 2021” – Kirk Franklin “Time for Reparations” – Sounds of Blackness Outstanding Jazz Album – Instrumental
Forever…Jaz – Jazmin Ghent Love Languages – Nathan Mitchell Somewhere Different – Brandee Younger Sounds from the Ancestors – Kenny Garrett The Magic of Now – Orrin Evans Outstanding Jazz Album – Vocal
Dear Love – Jazzmeia Horn and Her Noble Force Generations – The Baylor Project Ledisi Sings Nina – Ledisi Let There Be Love – Freda Payne SALSWING! – Rubén Blades y Roberto Delgado & Orquesta Outstanding Soul/R&B Song
“Damage” – H.E.R. “Be Alive” – Beyoncé “Have Mercy” – Chlöe “Leave The Door Open” – Silk Sonic “Pick Up Your Feelings” – Jazmine Sullivan Outstanding Hip Hop/Rap Song
“Best Friend” – Saweetie feat. Doja Cat “Fye Fye” – Tobe Nwigwe feat. Fat Nwigwe “Industry Baby” – Lil Nas X feat. Jack Harlow “My Life” – J. Cole feat. 21 Savage and Morray “Way 2 Sexy” – Drake Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional)
Anthony Hamilton feat. Jennifer Hudson – “Superstar” Chlöe x Halle – “Georgia On My Mind” Jazmine Sullivan feat. H.E.R. – “Girl Like Me” Leela James feat. Anthony Hamilton – “Complicated (Remix)” Silk Sonic – “Leave the Door Open” Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary)
Chris Brown feat. Young Thug, Future, Lil Durk and Latto – “Go Crazy (Remix)” Doja Cat feat. SZA – “Kiss Me More” Drake feat. Future & Young Thug – “Way 2 Sexy” H.E.R. feat. Chris Brown – “Come Through” Tobe Nwigwe feat. Fat Nwigwe – “Fye Fye” DOCUMENTARY CATEGORIES Outstanding Documentary (Film)
Attica Barbara Lee: Speaking Truth to Power My Name Is Pauli Murray Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) Tina Outstanding Documentary (Television)
1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything American Masters: How It Feels to Be Free Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America Insecure Documentary WRITING CATEGORIES Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series
Ashley Nicole Black – Ted Lasso – “Do the Right-est Thing” Issa Rae – Insecure -“Everything’s Gonna Be, Okay?!” Leann Bowen – Ted Lasso – “Lavender” Maya Erskine – Pen15 – “Blue in Green” Temi Wilkey – Sex Education – “Episode #3.6” Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series
Aurin Squire – Evil – “C Is For Cop” Davita Scarlett – The Good Fight – “And the Firm Had Two Partners…” Malcolm Spellman – The Falcon and the Winter Soldier – “New World Order” Nkechi Okoro Carroll – All American – “Homecoming” Steven Canals, Janet Mock, Our Lady J, Brad Falchuk, Ryan Murphy – Pose – “Series Finale” Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special
Abdul Williams – Salt-N-Pepa Mario Miscione, Marcella Ochoa – Madres Monique N. Matthew – A Holiday In Harlem Sameer Gardezi – Hot Mess Holiday Sherman Payne – Black As Night Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture
Janicza Bravo, Jeremy O. Harris – Zola Jeymes Samuel, Boaz Yakin – The Harder They Fall Shaka King, Will Berson, Kenny Lucas, Keith Lucas – Judas and the Black Messiah Virgil Williams – A Journal for Jordan Win Rosenfeld, Nia DaCosta, Jordan Peele – Candyman DIRECTING CATEGORIES Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series
Bashir Salahuddin, Diallo Riddle – South Side – “Tornado” Melina Matsoukas – Insecure – “Reunited, Okay?!” Neema Barnette – Harlem – “Once Upon A Time in Harlem” Prentice Penny – Insecure – “Everything’s Gonna Be, Okay?!” Tiffany Johnson – Black Monday – “Eight!” Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series
Anthony Hemingway – Genius: Aretha “Respect” Barry Jenkins – The Underground Railroad – “Indiana Winter” Carl Seaton – Snowfall – “Fight or Flight” Carl Seaton – Godfather of Harlem – “The Bonanno Split” Hanelle Culpepper – True Story – “Like Cain Did Abel” Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie or Special
Jaffar Mahmood – Hot Mess Holiday Kenny Leon – Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia Mario Van Peebles – Salt-N-Pepa Maritte Lee Go – Black As Night Veronica Rodriguez – Let’s Get Merried Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture
Denzel Washington – A Journal for Jordan Jeymes Samuel – The Harder They Fall Lin-Manuel Miranda – tick tick…BOOM! Reinaldo Marcus Green – King Richard Shaka King – Judas and the Black Messiah Outstanding Directing in a Documentary (Television or Motion Picture)
Andre Gaines – The One and Only Dick Gregory Dawn Porter – Rise Again: Tulsa and the Red Summer Sam Pollard – MLK/FBI Samantha Knowles, Yoruba Richen, Geeta Gandbhir, Nadia Hallgren – Black and Missing Spike Lee – NYC Epicenters 9/11➔2021½
LITERARY CATEGORIES Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction
Harlem Shuffle – Colson Whitehead Libertie – Kaitlyn Greenidge Long Division – Kiese Laymon The Man Who Lived Underground – Richard Wright The Perishing – Natashia Deón Outstanding Literary Work – Nonfiction
Dance Theatre of Harlem – Judy Tyrus, Paul Novosel Just As I Am – Cicely Tyson My Remarkable Journey – Katherine Johnson Renegades: Born in the USA – Barack Obama, Bruce Springsteen The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story – Nikole Hannah-Jones Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author
Just As I Am – Cicely Tyson My Remarkable Journey – Katherine Johnson Other Black Girl: A Novel – Zakiya Dalila Harris The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois – Honorée Fanonne Jeffers Wake: The Hidden History of Women-Led Slave Revolts – Rebecca Hal Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/Autobiography
Just As I Am – Cicely Tyson Unbound: My Story of Liberation and the Birth of the Me Too Movement – Tarana Burke Unprotected: A Memoir – Billy Porter Until I Am Free – Keisha Blain Will – Will Smith Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional
Diversity Is Not Enough: A Roadmap to Recruit, Develop and Promote Black Leaders in America – Keith Wyche Feeding the Soul (Because It’s My Business) – Tabitha Brown Permission to Dream – Chris Gardner Teaching Black History to White People – Leonard N. Moore The Conversation: How Seeking and Speaking the Truth About Racism Can Radically Transform Individuals and Organizations – Robert Livingston Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry
Perfect Black – Crystal Wilkinson Playlist for the Apocalypse – Rita Dove Such Color: New and Selected Poems – Tracy K. Smith The Wild Fox of Yemen – Threa Almontaser What Water Knows: Poems – Jacqueline Jones LaMon Outstanding Literary Work – Children
Black Ballerinas: My Journey to Our Legacy – Misty Copeland Change Sings – Amanda Gorman, Loren Long Stacey’s Extraordinary Words – Stacey Abrams, Kitt Thomas Time for Bed, Old House – Janet Costa Bates, A.G. Ford When Langston Dances – Kaija Langley, Keith Mallett Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens
Ace of Spades – Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé Happily Ever Afters – Elise Bryant The Cost of Knowing – Brittney Morris When You Look Like Us – Pamela N. Harris Wings of Ebony – J. Elle PODCAST CATEGORIES Outstanding News and Information Podcast
#SundayCivics After the Uprising: The Death of Danyé Dion Jones Blindspot: Tulsa Burning Into America Un(re)solved Outstanding Lifestyle/Self-Help Podcast
Checking In with Michelle Williams The Homecoming Podcast with Dr. Thema The SonRise Project Podcast Two Funny Mamas: Sherri Shepherd & Kym Whitley Under Construction w/ Tamar Braxton Outstanding Society and Culture Podcast
Beyond the Scenes – The Daily Show Jemele Hill is Unbothered Professional Troublemaker Questlove Supreme Super Soul Podcast Outstanding Arts and Entertainment Podcast
Club Shay Shay podcast with Shannon Sharpe Jemele Hill is Unbothered Questlove Supreme Reasonably Shady The History of Sketch Comedy with Keegan-Michael Key
SOCIAL MEDIA PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
@Euniquejg – Eunique Jones GIbson @KevOnStage – Kevin Fredericks @Laronhinesofficial – Laron Hines @_Lyneezy – Lanae Vanee @Terrellgrice – Terrell Grice