Recognizing Black excellence across 80 categories, the NAACP Image Awards are among the industry’s most prestigious honors and this year’s leading nominees are Jeymes Samuel’s The Harder They Fall (Netflix) and Issa Rae’s HBO comedy series Insecure, each scoring 12 nominations.
The ceremonies will air live on February 26 on BET at 8 PM Eastern/5 PM Pacific on BET, but without a live audience due to the continuing coronavirus pandemic.
Other feature films landing multiple nominations include Respect (six nods), Bruised (four nominations), Journal for Jordan (three nods) and King Richard, which scored five nominations/
Beyoncé’s “Be Alive” from the King Richard soundtrack landed an additional two nominations.
Due to the eligibility period spanning the 2021 calendar year, two of 2021’s Oscar nominees, Judas and the Black Messiah and the United States vs. Billie Holiday, are also up for multiple awards.
Television shows scoring multiple nominations include Black-ish (eight nods); Genius: Aretha (five nods) four-time nominees Godfather of Harlem, Underground Railroad, True Story and The Daily Show; and three-time nominees Black Monday, Pose, All American, Colin in Black & White, This Is Us, Annie Live! and Saturday Night Live.
Netflix leads the nominations across movies, TV and streaming categories, while across the music categories, RCA Records received the most nominations and HarperCollins imprint Amistad led nominations in the literary categories.
The Image Awards, which will be hosted by Anthony Anderson, also crown an entertainer of the year and this year’s nominees are Regina King, Jennifer Hudson, Lil Nas X, Megan Thee Stallion and Tiffany Haddish.
H.E.R. is the most-nominated artist across music categories with six nominations, with Chlöe, Drake, Jazmine Sullivan and Lil Nas X scoring four nominations each, followed by Questlove, Saweetie and Silk Sonic, with three nods each.
Here is a list of nominees in the major categories:
Entertainer Of The Year
Jennifer Hudson
Lil Nas X
Megan Thee Stallion
Regina King
Tiffany Haddish
MOTION PICTURE
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
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
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
Jamila Wignot – Ailey
Jeymes Samuel – The Harder They Fall
Liesl Tommy – Respect
Rebecca Hall – Passing
TELEVISION + STREAMING
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
Deon Cole – `black-ish
Kenan Thompson – Saturday Night Live
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 Hart – 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
Outstanding New Artist
Cynthia Erivo – Ch. 1 Vs. 1
Jimmie Allen – Bettie James Gold Edition
Saweetie – Best Friend feat. Doja Cat
Tems – If Orange Was A Place
Zoe Wees – Girls Like Us
Outstanding Male Artist
Anthony Hamilton – Love Is The New Black
Drake – Way 2 Sexy
Givēon – Heartbreak Anniversary
J. Cole – The Off-Season
Lil Nas X – Montero (Call Me By Your Name)
Outstanding Female Artist
H.E.R. – Back of My Mind
Ari Lennox – Pressure
Beyonce´ – Be Alive
Chlöe – Have Mercy
Jazmine Sullivan – Heaux Tales
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 – Eddie Murphy, Craig Brewer, Kevin Misher, Randy Spendlove, Jeff Harleston, Brittney Ramsdell
Judas and the Black Messiah – Mark Isham and Craig Harris
Respect – Jason Michael Webb and Stephen Bray
The Harder They Fall – JAY-Z and Jeymes Samuel
The United States vs. Billie Holiday – 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 – 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 with 21 Savage and Morray – J. Cole
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
Outstanding Documentary (Film)
Attica
Barbara Lee: Speaking Truth to Power
My Name Is Pauli Murray
Summer of Soul
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
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
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
