In a candid interview with Town & Country, Angela Bassett, a two-time Oscar nominee, shared her feelings about losing the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress to Jamie Lee Curtis in 2023. The actress, who portrayed the grieving Queen Ramonda in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, expressed her belief that she deserved the accolade, igniting a conversation about the expectations placed on artists in the competitive world of film.
Breaking barriers in the film industry
Bassett made history as the first actor to receive an Oscar nomination for a role in a Marvel film, marking a significant milestone not only in her career but also in the representation of diverse narratives in mainstream cinema. Her performance garnered critical acclaim, leading her to win both the Critics Choice Award and the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress. However, the momentum shifted dramatically when Curtis won the SAG Award, ultimately leading to her Oscar victory.
The weight of disappointment
Reflecting on the moment her name was not called, Bassett admitted to feeling a profound sense of disappointment. “I thought I was deserving,” she stated, emphasizing the hard work and dedication she invested in her craft. The public’s reaction to her visible disappointment sparked discussions about the societal expectations of how one should respond to loss, particularly in high-stakes environments like the Oscars. “Interesting that I wouldn’t be allowed to be disappointed at an outcome where I thought I was deserving,” she remarked, highlighting the complexities of emotional expression in the face of public scrutiny.
A legacy of excellence
Angela Bassett’s illustrious career spans decades, with memorable performances in films such as What’s Love Got to Do With It, Malcolm X, and Waiting to Exhale. Her contributions to the arts have not gone unnoticed; she received an honorary Oscar in 2024 and an honorary doctorate from Yale in 2025. Despite the setbacks, Bassett remains a formidable presence in Hollywood, currently starring in Ryan Murphy’s 9-1-1 and the Netflix series Zero Day.
In her conversation with Oprah Winfrey, Bassett described her Oscar loss as a “supreme disappointment,” yet she acknowledged the humanity in feeling such emotions. “I thought I handled it very well,” she reflected, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in expressing disappointment. Her journey serves as a reminder that even the most accomplished individuals face challenges and setbacks, and that vulnerability is a part of the human experience.
