Kerry Washington had a memorable night last Saturday when she won the NAACP Image Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture. Her reaction to the honor deeply impacted Tyler Perry.
Washington won the award after her outstanding performance in “The Six Triple Eight,” a Netflix war drama movie.
The film is based on a true-life story of an all-Black, all-female battalion that served with honor during World War II.
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Kerry Washington Wins Award
Washington was nominated for Best Actress in a Motion Picture category, facing off against a strong nominee list.
The category’s other nominees included Cynthia Erivo for “Wicked,” Lashana Lynch for “Bob Marley: One Love,” Lupita Nyong’o for “A Quiet Place: Day One,” and Regina King for “Shirley.”
Upon being announced as the winner, Washington was moved to tears and expressed her surprise at winning over the “extraordinary” women she was in competition with.
The excited winner warmly hugged Erivo as she walked toward the stage to receive her award.
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Kerry Washington’s Acceptance Speech
In her acceptance speech, Washington said per the Daily Mail, “Okay, you guys, you know, on awards shows, when people looked surprised, I never believed that they’re really surprised – except Beyonce at the Grammys, that was like…”
Washington added, “But I’m shocked. I’m shocked because the women that I’m nominated with are so extraordinary, so extraordinary. I love you all so much and I’m honored to be in a category with you.”
The elated actress went on to thank her fans, family, and those she worked with in the movie, paying special gratitude to the film’s director, Tyler Perry, Netflix, and her castmates.
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She continued, “I want to most importantly thank the women of the 6888, the 855 women of the 6888, who proved to us how extraordinary black women are, how extraordinary we have always been.”
Washington also said, “At a time when our history is being ripped from us, when people are trying to get us to not tell our stories, we are telling your stories, ladies, because you are calling us forward into our greatness, and that’s what tonight is about.”
She concluded, “It’s about all of us being called into our greatness, so remember your greatness, because that is what the fight is for.”
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Kerry Washington Doesn’t Remember She Thanked Tyler Perry
Washington left the stage after her speech to a round of applause. However, she returned minutes later and interrupted the presenters.
The “Django Unchained” actress thought she didn’t thank Perry during her speech and came back to do so.
She said, “I did not thank Tyler Perry.” However, the audience reminded her that she already did, after which she joyfully left the stage.
The gesture from Washington touched Perry, who posted a message expressing his feelings about it.
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Tyler Perry Moved By ‘Rare Thank You’
Perry reposted a video showing Washington returning on stage after he thought she had omitted his name during her acceptance speech.
In the post’s caption, he shared that her gesture made him emotional.
The entertainment mogul wrote, “Wow!! MOVED TO TEARS. I can honestly tell you that I live my life never, ever doing a good thing expecting something in return… I give, do, help, try, and lift us up because IT’S JUST THE RIGHT THING TO DO.”
Perry then revealed why Washington’s gesture moved him so much. He wrote, “Why did this move me so much? Because I’ve helped thousands of people—literally thousands of people—live better lives, and I can honestly say, for me to receive a THANK YOU is very rare. So to see someone interrupt a live show to say thank you when she already had moved me to tears.”
The 55-year-old concluded, “To anyone out there who is doing good and that good is ignored, not appreciated, or questioned… JUST KEEP DOING GOOD ANYWAY! Because IT’S RIGHT! GOD will reward you!”
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Fans Pay Tribute To Tyler Perry
Many fans reacted to Perry’s post by appreciating him for the impact he has made on the entertainment industry and the black community.
One person wrote, “The double thanks brought even more recognition to you! We thank you so much for all you do for the community.”
Another fan shared, “This was my favorite part of the show. We love you, Tyler!”
A third fan added, “We all thank you @tylerperry the example we need now more than ever.”
Another person commented, “She had me cracking up, but it was a great moment. You deserve those flowers, sir.”
A fifth fan gave a verdict on Kerry Washington’s moment, writing, “This was definitely one of the most adorable and hilarious moments of the night.”
