NAACP Image Award nominees announced

'The Harder They Fall,' 'Insecure' and H.E.R. lead in nominations this year

The full list of NAACP Image Award nominees have officially been announced, with The Harder They Fall, Insecure and more nabbing major nominations.

The 53rd NAACP Image Awards are set to air Saturday, Feb. 26 on BET. The two-hour live TV special will be hosted by Anthony Anderson, who is a seven-time NAACP Image Awards winner himself. On Tuesday, Kyla Pratt, Marcus Scribner and Tinashe announced the nominations via the NAACP Instagram channel.

50th NAACP Image Awards - Show
Marsai Martin, Yara Shahidi, Anthony Anderson, and Tracee Ellis Ross onstage at the 50th NAACP Image Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 30, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

This year’s nominees sees some major talent competition for big awards, many from the same projects. Acclaimed Netflix film The Harder They Fall racked up major nominations, with talent like Regina King and Danielle Deadwyler both earning recognition in the same category.

Idris Elba, LaKeith Stanfield and Delroy Lindo make up three of the five nominations for Best Supporting Actor, all from the same film.

Karen Boykin-Towns, Image Awards committee chairman, shared in a statement, “We are thrilled to recognize this year’s nominees, who have all brought dynamic, entertaining, and thought provoking content to our attention through their incredible work in film, television, music and more.”

While The Harder They Fall leads in the film category with 12 nominations, in the television arena, Issa Rae‘s Insecure seems to be going out on top. The show is also nominated for 12 awards, leading TV. H.E.R. leads the music category with 6 nominations.

49th NAACP Image Awards - Arrivals
Issa Rae attends the 49th NAACP Image Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on Jan. 15, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)

Check out the official nominations list for entertainer, motion picture, television and recording nominees below. Other categories, including writing, directing, and more, can be found here.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

Jennifer Hudson

Lil Nas X

Megan Thee Stallion

Regina King

Tiffany Haddish

MOTION PICTURE CATEGORIES

Outstanding Motion Picture

Judas and the Black Messiah (Warner Bros. Pictures)

King Richard (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Respect (Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures/United Artists Releasing)

The Harder They Fall (Netflix)

The United States vs. Billie Holiday (Hulu Original / New Slate Ventures / Lee Daniels Entertainment / Roth-Krischenbaum Films)

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

Denzel WashingtonThe Tragedy of Macbeth (Apple TV+ / A24)

Jonathan MajorsThe Harder They Fall (Netflix)

LaKeith StanfieldJudas and the Black Messiah (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Mahershala Ali Swan Song (Apple TV+)

Will SmithKing Richard (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture

Andra Day The United States vs. Billie Holiday (Hulu Original / New Slate Ventures / Lee Daniels Entertainment / Roth-Krischenbaum Films)

Halle Berry Bruised (Netflix)

Jennifer HudsonRespect (Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures/United Artists Releasing)

Tessa ThompsonPassing (Netflix)

Zendaya Malcolm & Marie (Netflix)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

Algee Smith Judas and the Black Messiah (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Daniel Kaluuya Judas and the Black Messiah (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Delroy LindoThe Harder They Fall (Netflix)

Idris ElbaThe Harder They Fall (Netflix)

LaKeith StanfieldThe Harder They Fall (Netflix)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture

Aunjanue EllisKing Richard (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Audra McDonaldRespect (Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures/United Artists Releasing)

Danielle Deadwyler The Harder They Fall (Netflix)

Dominique Fishback Judas and the Black Messiah (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Regina KingThe Harder They Fall (Netflix)

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture

American Skin (Vertical Entertainment)

Bruised (Netflix)

CODA (Apple TV+)

Test Pattern (Kino Lorber)

The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain (RedBird Entertainment)

Outstanding International Motion Picture

7 Prisoners (Netflix)

African America (Netflix)

Eyimofe (This is My Desire) (Janus Films)

Flee (Neon / Participant)

The Gravedigger’s Wife (Orange Studio)

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture

Ariana DeBoseWest Side Story (20th Century Studios)

Danny Boyd, Jr.Bruised (Netflix)

Jalon ChristianA Journal For Jordan (Columbia Pictures)

Lonnie Chavis The Water Man (RLJE Films)

Sheila Atim Bruised (Netflix)

Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture 

Coming 2 America (Paramount Releasing/Amazon Studios)

Judas and the Black Messiah (Warner Bros. Pictures)

King Richard (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Respect (Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures/United Artists Releasing)

The Harder They Fall (Netflix)

Outstanding Animated Motion Picture

Encanto (Walt Disney Studios)

Luca (Walt Disney Studios)

Raya and the Last Dragon (Walt Disney Studios)

Sing 2 (Universal Pictures)

Vivo (Netflix)

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance – Motion Picture

Andre BraugherSpirit Untamed  (Universal Pictures)

AwkwafinaRaya and the Last Dragon (Walt Disney Studios)

Brian Tyree Henry Vivo (Netflix)

Eric André Sing 2 (Universal Pictures)

Letitia WrightSing 2  (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Short-Form (Live Action)

Aurinko in Adagio (Universal Pictures)

Blackout (Netflix)

The Ice Cream Stop (Walt Disney Studios)

These Final Hours (Universal Pictures)

When The Sun Sets (Lakutshon’ Ilanga) (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Short-Form (Animated)

Blush (Apple TV+)

Robin Robin (Netflix)

She Dreams at Sunrise (Tribeca Studios, Procter & Gamble)

Twenty Something (Pixar Animation Studios)

Us Again (Walt Disney Animation Studios)

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)

Ahmir “Questlove” ThompsonSummer Of Soul (…Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (Searchlight Pictures, Onyx Collective, Hulu)

Jamila WignotAiley (Neon)

Jeymes SamuelThe Harder They Fall (Netflix)

Liesl TommyRespect (Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures/United Artists Releasing)

Rebecca HallPassing (Netflix)

TELEVISION + STREAMING CATEGORIES

Outstanding Comedy Series

black-ish (ABC)

Harlem (Amazon Studios)

Insecure (HBO)

Run the World (Starz)

The Upshaws (Netflix)

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series

Anthony AndersonBlack-ish (ABC)

Cedric the EntertainerThe Neighborhood (CBS)

Don Cheadle Black Monday (Showtime)

Elisha ‘EJ’ WilliamsThe Wonder Years (ABC)

Jay EllisInsecure (HBO)

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series

Issa RaeInsecure (HBO)

Loretta Devine Family Reunion (Netflix)

Regina Hall Black Monday (Showtime)

Tracee Ellis Ross Black-ish (ABC)

Yvonne Orji Insecure (HBO)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Andre Braugher Brooklyn Nine-Nine (NBC)

Deon ColeBlack-ish (ABC)

Kenan ThompsonSaturday Night Live (NBC)

Kendrick SampsonInsecure (HBO)

Laurence FishburneBlack-ish (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Amanda SealesInsecure (HBO)

Jenifer LewisBlack-ish (ABC)

Marsai MartinBlack-ish (ABC)

Natasha RothwellInsecure (HBO)

Wanda SykesThe Upshaws (Netflix)

Outstanding Drama Series

9-1-1 (FOX)

All American (The CW)

Godfather of Harlem (EPIX)

Pose (FX Network)

Queen Sugar (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series

Billy PorterPose (FX Network)

Damson IdrisSnowfall (FX Network)

Forest WhitakerGodfather of Harlem (EPIX)

Kofi SiriboeQueen Sugar (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)

Sterling K. BrownThis is Us (NBC)

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series

Angela Bassett 9-1-1 (FOX)

Dawn-Lyen Gardner Queen Sugar (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)

Octavia SpencerTruth Be Told (Apple TV+)

Queen Latifah The Equalizer (CBS)

Rutina WesleyQueen Sugar (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Alex R. HibbertThe Chi (Showtime)

Cliff “Method Man” SmithPower Book II: Ghost (Starz)

Daniel EzraAll American (The CW)

Giancarlo EspositoGodfather of Harlem (EPIX)

Joe Morton Our Kind of People (FOX)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Alfre WoodardSEE (Apple TV+)

Bianca LawsonQueen Sugar (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)

Chandra WilsonGrey’s Anatomy (ABC)

Mary J. BligePower Book II: Ghost (Starz)

Susan Kelechi WatsonThis is Us (NBC)

Outstanding Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special

Colin in Black & White – (Netflix)

Genius: Aretha – (National Geographic)

Love Life – (HBO Max)

Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia – (Lifetime)

The Underground Railroad – (Amazon Studios)

Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special

Anthony MackieSolos (Amazon Studios)

Jaden MichaelColin in Black & White (Netflix)

Kevin Hart True Story (Netflix)

Wesley Snipes True Story (Netflix)

William Jackson Harper Love Life (HBO Max)

Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special

Betty GabrielClickbait (Netflix)

Cynthia Erivo Genius: Aretha (National Geographic)

Danielle BrooksRobin Roberts Presents: Mahalia (Lifetime)

Jodie Turner-Smith Anne Boleyn (AMC+)

Taraji P. HensonAnnie Live! (NBC)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special

Courtney B. Vance Genius: Aretha (National Geographic)

Keith David Black As Night (Amazon Studios)

Tituss BurgessAnnie Live! (NBC)

Will CatlettTrue Story (Netflix)

William Jackson HarperThe Underground Railroad (Amazon Studios)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special

Anika Noni RoseMaid (Netflix)

Natasha Rothwell The White Lotus (HBO)

Pauletta WashingtonGenius: Aretha (National Geographic)

Regina HallNine Perfect Strangers (Hulu)

Sheila AtimThe Underground Railroad (Amazon Studios)

Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special)

Blood on Black Wall Street: The Legacy of the Tulsa Massacre (NBC)

NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (NBC)

Soul of A Nation (ABC)

The Reidout (MSNBC)

Unsung (TV One)

Outstanding Talk Series

Desus & Mero (Showtime)

Hart to Heart (Peacock)

Red Table Talk (Facebook Watch)

Tamron Hall (Syndicated)

The Real (Syndicated)

Outstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition or Game Show (Series)

Celebrity Family Feud (ABC)

Iyanla: Fix My Life (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)

Sweet Life: Los Angeles (HBO Max)

The Voice (NBC)

Wild ‘n Out (VH1)

Outstanding Variety Show (Series or Special) 

A Black Lady Sketch Show (HBO)

BET Awards 2021 (BET)

Dave Chappelle: The Closer (Netflix)

Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 3 (Amazon Studios)

The Daily Show with Trevor Noah (Comedy Central)

Outstanding Children’s Program

Ada Twist, Scientist (Netflix)

Family Reunion (Netflix)

Karma’s World (Netflix)

Raven’s Home (Disney Channel)

Waffles + Mochi (Netflix)

Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited-Series)

Alayah “Lay Lay” HighThat Girl Lay Lay (Nickelodeon)

Celina SmithAnnie Live! (NBC)

Elisha ‘EJ’ WilliamsThe Wonder Years (ABC)

Eris BakerThis Is Us (NBC)

Miles BrownBlack-ish (ABC)

Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble

Joy Reid The Reidout (MSNBC)

Daniel “Desus Nice” Baker, Joel “The Kid Mero” MartinezDesus & Mero (Showtime)

Garcelle Beauvais, Adrienne Houghton, Loni Love, Jeannie Mai Jenkins The Real (Syndicated)

Jada Pinkett Smith, Adrienne Banfield-Norris, Willow SmithRed Table Talk (Facebook Watch)

LeBron James The Shop: Uninterrupted (HBO)

Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble

Alfonso Ribeiro America’s Funniest Home Videos (ABC)

Amber RuffinThe Amber Ruffin Show (Peacock)

Cedric The Entertainer73rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (CBS)

Iyanla Vanzant Iyanla: Fix My Life (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)

Trevor NoahThe Daily Show with Trevor Noah (Comedy Central)

Outstanding Guest Performance

Alani “La La” AnthonyThe Chi (Showtime)

Christina Elmore Insecure (HBO)

Daniel KaluuyaSaturday Night Live (NBC)

Erika Alexander Run the World (Starz)

Maya RudolphSaturday Night Live (NBC)

Outstanding Animated Series

Big Mouth (Netflix)

Peanut Headz: Black History Toonz (Kweli TV)

Super Sema (YouTube Originals)

We The People (Netflix)

Yasuke (Netflix)

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television)

Angela BassettMalika: The Lion Queen (FOX)

Billy PorterFairfax (Amazon Studios)

Chris “Ludacris” BridgesKarma’s World (Netflix)

Cree SummerRugrats (Nickelodeon)

Keke PalmerBig Mouth (Netflix)

Outstanding Short Form Series – Comedy or Drama 

Between the Scenes – The Daily Show (Comedy Central)

Dark Humor (Comedy Central / YouTube)

Della Mae (AspireTV)

The Disney Launchpad: Shorts Incubator (Disney+)

Two Sides: Unfaithful (Snapchat)

Outstanding Short Form Series or Special – Reality/Nonfiction

Life By The Horns (Snapchat)

Memory Builds The Monument (Fifth Ward CRC)

Widen the Screen: 8:46 Films (BET)

Through Our Eyes: Shelter (HBO Max)

Lynching Postcards: Token of a Great Day (Paramount+)

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)

Angel Kristi Williams – Colin in Black & White (Netflix)

Cierra Glaude – Queen Sugar (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)

Deborah Riley Draper – The Legacy of Black Wall Street (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)

Halcyon Person – Karma’s World (Netflix)

Quyen Tran – Maid (Netflix)

RECORDING CATEGORIES

Outstanding New Artist

Cynthia ErivoCh. 1 Vs. 1 (Verve Records / UMG Recordings)

Jimmie AllenBettie James Gold Edition (BBR Music Group)

Saweetie Best Friend feat. Doja Cat (ICY / Warner Records)

Tems If Orange Was A Place (RCA Records / Since ’93)

Zoe WeesGirls Like Us (Capitol Records)

Outstanding Male Artist

Anthony Hamilton Love Is The New Black (My Music Box LLC / BMG)

DrakeWay 2 Sexy (Republic Records)

GivēonHeartbreak Anniversary (Epic Records)

J. ColeThe Off-Season (Dreamville / Roc Nation)

Lil Nas X Montero (Call Me By Your Name) (Columbia Records)

Outstanding Female Artist

H.E.R. – Back of My Mind (RCA Records / MBK Entertainment)

Ari LennoxPressure (Dreamville / Interscope Records)

Beyonce´Be Alive (Columbia Records / Parkwood)

ChlöeHave Mercy (Columbia Records / Parkwood)

Jazmine SullivanHeaux Tales (RCA Records)

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album 

Anthems & Glory Todd Dulaney (MNRK Music Group)

Believe For It CeCe Winans (Pure Springs Gospel / Fair Trade Services / Red Alliance Media)

Jonny x Mali: Live in L.A.Jonathan McReynolds and Mali Music  (Life Room Label LLC / K Approved Enterprises. Inc.)

Overcomer Tamela Mann (Tillymann Music Group)

Power Jason McGee & The Choir (My Block, Inc.)

Outstanding International Song

“Essence” – Wizkid feat. Tems and Justin Bieber  (RCA Records / Starboy / Sony Music International)

“Peru” – Fireboy DML  (YBNL Nation / Empire)

“Somebody’s Son” – Tiwa Savage feat. Brandy (Motown)

“Touch It” – KiDi (Lynx Entertainment / MadeInENY / Empire)

“Understand” – Omah Lay (The KeyQaad / Sire Records)

Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album

“Best Friend” – Saweetie feat. Doja Cat (ICY / Warner Records)

“Essence” – Wizkid feat. Tems (RCA Records / Starboy / Sony Music International)

“Fye Fye” – Tobe Nwigwe feat. Fat Nwigwe (Tobe Nwigwe, LLC)

“Have Mercy” – Chlöe (Columbia Records / Parkwood)

“Leave The Door Open” – Silk Sonic (Atlantic / Aftermath)

Outstanding Album

An Evening with Silk SonicSilk Sonic (Atlantic / Aftermath)

Back of My MindH.E.R. (RCA Records / MBK Entertainment)

Certified Lover BoyDrake (Republic Records)

Heaux TalesJazmine Sullivan (RCA Records)

When It’s All Said and Done… Take TimeGivēon (Epic Records)

Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album

Coming 2 America (Amazon Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – Eddie Murphy, Craig Brewer, Kevin Misher,  Randy Spendlove, Jeff Harleston, Brittney Ramsdell (Def Jam Recordings)

Judas and the Black Messiah (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – Mark Isham and Craig Harris (WaterTower Music)

Respect (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – Jason Michael Webb and Stephen Bray (Epic Records)

The Harder They Fall (The Motion Picture Soundtrack) – JAY-Z and Jeymes Samuel (Geneva Club / Roc Nation Records, LLC)

The United States vs. Billie Holiday (Music from the Motion Picture) – Salaam Remi, Andra Day, Raphael Saadiq, Warren “E” Felder, Downtown Trevor Brown (Warner Records)

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song 

“Believe For It” CeCe Winans (Pure Springs Gospel / Fair Trade Services / Red Alliance Media)

“Help Me” – Tamela Mann feat. The Fellas (Tillymann Music Group)

“Hold Us Together (Hope Mix)” – H.E.R. and Tauren Wells (RCA Records / Sony Music)

“Overcome 2021” – Kirk Franklin (Fo Yo Soul / RCA Records )

“Time for Reparations” – Sounds of Blackness (Sounds of Blackness / Atomic K Records)

Outstanding Jazz Album – Instrumental

Forever…JazJazmin Ghent (Independent Artist)

Love Languages Nathan Mitchell (ENM Music Group)

Somewhere Different Brandee Younger (Impulse! Records)

Sounds from the AncestorsKenny Garrett (Mack Avenue Music Group)

The Magic of Now Orrin Evans (Smoke Sessions Records)

Outstanding Jazz Album – Vocal

Dear LoveJazzmeia Horn and Her Noble Force (Empress Legacy Records)

GenerationsThe Baylor Project (Be A Light)

Ledisi Sings NinaLedisi (Listen Back Entertainment / BMG)

Let There Be Love Freda Payne (Alain Franke Records)

SALSWING! Rubén Blades y Roberto Delgado & Orquesta (Rubén Blades Productions)

Outstanding Soul/R&B Song

“Damage” – H.E.R. (RCA Records / MBK Entertainment)

“Be Alive” – Beyoncé (Columbia Records / Parkwood)

“Have Mercy” – Chlöe (Columbia Records / Parkwood)

“Leave The Door Open” – Silk Sonic (Atlantic / Aftermath)

“Pick Up Your Feelings” – Jazmine Sullivan (RCA Records)

Outstanding Hip Hop/Rap Song 

“Best Friend” – Saweetie feat. Doja Cat (ICY / Warner Records)

“Fye Fye” – Tobe Nwigwe feat. Fat Nwigwe (Tobe Nwigwe, LLC)

“Industry Baby” – Lil Nas X feat. Jack Harlow (Columbia Records)

“My Life” with 21 Savage and MorrayJ. Cole (Dreamville / Roc Nation)

“Way 2 Sexy” – Drake (Republic Records)

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional) 

Anthony Hamilton feat. Jennifer Hudson – “Superstar” (My Music Box LLC / BMG)

Chlöe x Halle – “Georgia On My Mind” (Columbia Records / Parkwood)

Jazmine Sullivan feat. H.E.R. – “Girl Like Me” (RCA Records)

Leela James feat. Anthony Hamilton – “Complicated (Remix)” (SheSangz Music, Inc. / BMG)

Silk Sonic – “Leave the Door Open” (Atlantic / Aftermath)

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary) 

Chris Brown feat. Young Thug, Future, Lil Durk and Latto – “Go Crazy (Remix)” (RCA Records)

Doja Cat feat. SZA – “Kiss Me More” (RCA Records / Kemosabe Records)

Drake feat. Future & Young Thug – “Way 2 Sexy” (Republic Records)

H.E.R. feat. Chris Brown – “Come Through” (RCA Records / MBK Entertainment)

Tobe Nwigwe feat. Fat Nwigwe – “Fye Fye” (Tobe Nwigwe, LLC)

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