Don’t Miss The 56th NAACP Image Awards, Live on BET Saturday, Feb. 22

FILM/TV

For its list of TV and film nominees, the NAACP explored the talents of both established legends and rising voices in the industry. Showcasing quiet grace and steady intensity, Colman Domingo earned two nominations for his roles as a wrongfully convicted prisoner turned thespian (Sing Sing) and a fugitive journalist (The Madness). Meanwhile, Denzel Washington’s Gladiator II turn as an icily calculating arms dealer earned him a nom for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture, and Cynthia Erivo’s role as an emerging Wicked Witch of the West (Wicked) translated to nominations for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture and Entertainer of the Year. Also racking up the noms were multi-threat talents like Ayo Edebiri (The Bear, Inside Out 2, Saturday Night Live), Regina King (Shirley), Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary), Damon Wayans Jr. (Poppa’s House) and more. As diverse as it is dynamic, the list of nominees is an impressive look at the present and future.

RECORDING ARTISTS

Pulling from eclectic rappers and genre-fusing vocalists, this year’s list of recording artist nominees is no less kaleidoscopic. For their part, Shaboozey and Doechii earned noms for Outstanding New Artist. On his end of things, Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” held down the No. 1 slot on the Billboard Hot 100 for a record-tying 19 weeks. As versatile as any 2024 release, Doechii’s Alligator Bites Never Heal earned heaps of critical acclaim while earning her the 2025 GRAMMY® Award for Best Rap Album. In total, Doechii earned four Image Award nominations. Of course, Kendrick Lamar leveled up, too. Following a dominant 2024 filled with No. 1 singles and iconic bars, Kendrick snagged a nod for Outstanding Male Artist, where he’ll compete with Usher, Chris Brown and more. Riding the momentum she created with her acclaimed Cowboy Carter album, Beyoncé was nominated for the Outstanding Female Artist trophy alongside Coco Jones, Doechii and the irrepressible GloRilla, each contributing to the colorful tapestry of modern Black sound.

Scott Mills, the President and CEO of BET Media Group offered the following about the upcoming award show: “BET is proud to continue its longstanding partnership with the NAACP to celebrate Black excellence in all forms. Together we shine a light on the stories, voices, and artistry that shape culture and drive progress.”