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Michael B. Jordan wins big at NAACP Image Awards

Los Angeles — It was a total knockout for Michael B. Jordan at the NAACP Image Awards in a ceremony that took several jabs at Hollywood for the lack of racial diversity.

The star of the boxing drama Creed was honoured Friday as both the entertainer of the year and outstanding actor in a motion picture for his role as Apollo Creed's son.

"I used to sneak into the Image Awards, and now I'm standing here as the entertainer of the year, which is mind-blowing," he said.

Straight Outta Compton, which tells the story of the pioneering rap group N.W.A., picked up the outstanding motion picture prize.

"I want to thank the NAACP for this because without you riding for us for the last 100 years, we would not be standing here," director F. Gary Gray said.

Image Awards host Anthony Anderson kicked off the ceremony by invoking N.W.A. for a rap about the lack of racial diversity at other awards shows.

The black-ish star donned a gold chain and a baseball cap with the words "Nominees With Attitude" to sing about such snubs as "Beasts of No Nation" and Jordan at the Academy Awards.

"Listen, y'all, I don't mean to sound cocky, but the movie's called Creed, not Rocky, " he rapped.

Watch it here:

Anderson later joked during his opening monologue that he didn't want the Academy Awards to go overboard in response to the #OscarsSoWhite controversy by honouring a movie like Madea Goes Trick or Treating in Compton as best picture or handing out Kevin Harts instead of Oscars.

"Hollywood needs to know that this is what diversity is supposed to look like," a more serious Anderson told the crowd at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.

When he walked on stage to present Creed as an outstanding motion picture contender, Sylvester Stallone was surprised to be greeted warmly by the audience.

"I certainly didn't expect that," said the Rocky star, who failed to recognize Jordan and Creed filmmaker Ryan Coogler in his acceptance speech at last month's Golden Globes. He later returned to the stage to thank them and apologised on Twitter.

Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith and Spike Lee were among this year's Image Awards attendees who said they won't attend this year's Oscar ceremony after a second year of mostly white nominees.

Despite several comments — both mocking and thoughtful — about the lack of racial diversity in Hollywood, it was mostly show business as usual for the 47th Image Awards, which are presented by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to honor people of color in entertainment.

black-ish swept the TV comedy categories with Anderson winning the award for outstanding actor, while the show was selected as outstanding comedy series and his co-star Tracee Ellis Ross was honoured as outstanding actress.


On the TV drama side, Empire dominated with wins for outstanding drama series, actor and actress for Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson.

"We don't need to ask for acceptance from anyone," Henson said. "We are enough."

Sanaa Lathan was awarded the trophy for best actress in a motion picture for her role as a terrorised lobbyist in The Perfect Guy.

John Legend received the NAACP President's Award, which recognises those who have achieved career success and public service. In his speech, the singer-songwriter lauded activists who fight for social justice.


"Despite the daunting problems, I am hopeful that our generation will demand and achieve radical change in our lifetime," said Legend after he performed All of Me.

For the first time, the NAACP Chairman's Award, which honours distinguished public service, was presented to eight recipients, including pastor Jamal Bryant, Empire actor Jussie Smollett and the activist group Concerned Student Collective 1950 at the University of Missouri, Columbia. The winners joined together on stage with their fists raised in the air.

"I think Hollywood should take notes from this awards show," said Scandal actor Guillermo Diaz on the red carpet before the show.

See the full list of winners here:

Entertainer of the Year: Michael B. Jordan

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: Michael B. Jordan, Creed

Outstanding Motion Picture: Straight Outta Compton

Outstanding Drama Series: Empire

Outstanding Comedy Series: Black-ish

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series: Terrence Howard, Empire

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series: Taraji P. Henson, Empire

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series: Tracee Ellis Ross, Black-ish

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: Sanaa Lathan, The Perfect Guy

President's Award: John Legend

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Mike Epps, Survivor's Remorse

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Marsai Martin, Black-ish

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Joe Morton, Scandal

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Regina King, American Crime

Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series: Mara Brack Ali, Jameal Turner, Keli Goff, Being Mary Jane, Sparrow

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture (Television): Lawrence Hill, Clement Virgo, The Book of Negroes

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture (Film): Ryan Coogler, Aaron Covington, Creed

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series: Don Cheadle, House of Lies, The Urge to Save Humanity is Almost Always a False Front for the Urge to Rule

Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series: John Ridley, American Crime

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture (Television): Dee Rees, Bessie

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture (Film): Ryan Coogler, Creed

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television or Film): Loretta Devine, Doc McStuffins

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series: Anthony Anderson, Black-ish

Outstanding Host in a News, Talk, Reality, or Variety Program (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble: Steve Harvey, Family Feud

Outstanding Talk Series: The Talk

Outstanding Reality Program/Reality Competition Series: Welcome to Sweetie Pie's

Outstanding Variety (Series or Special): Family Feud

Outstanding Children's Program: Doc McStuffins

Outstanding TV-Movie, Miniseries or Dramatic Special: The Wiz Live!

Outstanding Actor in a TV-Movie, Miniseries or Dramatic Special: David Alan Grier, The Wiz Live!

(Photos: AP)





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