Names and faces
A jubilant Ava DuVernay was named entertainer of the year at the NAACP Image Awards ceremony that focused on the black community’s power to create change. DuVernay lauded other black artists from the stage as she accepted her award Monday night, naming writers and directors such as Shonda Rhimes,
Gina Prince-Bythewood, Kenya Barris and “Black Panther” director Ryan Coogler. “This is our time,” DuVernay said. “We can say we were here when all this gorgeous art was happening, and that we supported it — that we lifted each other up, that we did as Dr. King said we would do: Live the dream. We’re the dream.” DuVernay, 45, directed the films “Middle of Nowhere” and “Selma” and the documentary “13th.” Her adaptation of “A Wrinkle in Time,” starring Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon, is set for release in March. Anthony Anderson hosted the ceremony at the Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Calif. Kerry Washington, Tracee Ellis Ross, Laverne Cox, Jurnee Smollet-Bell, Lena Waithe and Angela Robinson set the tone for the evening when they emerged onstage holding hands to dramatically issue a get-out-the-vote call. The six women declared support for the Time’s Up initiative to stop sexual harassment and gender discrimination and urged viewers to speak up at the polls as well. Barris’ show “black-ish” was the night’s big winner. The ABC hit was named best comedy series and took acting honors for stars Ross and Anderson. “Power” was named best drama series, and star Omari Hardwick won for dramatic actor. Other winners included “Gifted” actress Octavia Spencer and “Empire” star Taraji P. Henson, as well as Daniel Kaluuya, who won for his leading role in “Get Out.”
Mila Kunis, who made her mark on two long-running television comedies and earned a Golden Globe nomination for her work on the big screen, was named Woman of the Year on Tuesday by Harvard University’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals. Kunis, 34, is being honored by the nation’s oldest collegiate theatrical organization because she is one of Hollywood’s “most sought after, vivacious, and engaging actresses.” The Ukraine-born actress will be honored Jan. 25 with a parade through the streets of Cambridge followed by a roast at which she will receive her pudding pot. Kunis earned a Golden Globe nomination for her portrayal of Lily in 2010’s “Black Swan.” She more recently starred in “Bad Moms” and “A Bad Moms Christmas” and just wrapped production on “The Spy Who Dumped Me,” scheduled for release in August. She’s perhaps best known for two early television roles, Jackie Burkhart in “That ’70s Show” and as the voice of Meg Griffin in the animated series “Family Guy.”