Perseverance: Tina Turner and Angela Bassett
*Blog written in partnership with Brave PR.
Ask a Black woman about Angela Bassett, and they will likely recite lines and/or re-enact scenes from the following movies:
But the No. 1 movie? The one we probably know by heart? The one that we LOVE? The one we call “The Tina Turner” movie?
You Guessed It
It’s 1993’s “What’s Love Got to Do With It” – the story of a beloved entertainer, the icon Tina Turner, portrayed by the icon that is Angela Bassett. It’s a tough movie to watch due to the domestic abuse Tina suffered at the hands of her late ex-husband Ike Turner. Nevertheless, there’s nothing better than a story of resilience, liberation, and success.
We cry for her.
We cheer for her.
We sing and dance with her.
We stand up and clap at the end.
Watching this movie is an experience, and “TINA – The Tina Turner Musical” debuted on Broadway in 2019. Once again, the story of this amazing woman has been immortalized. The icing on the cake: She co-signed both the movie and musical of her life. It just doesn’t get any better than that.
Which Brings Me Back to Angela Bassett
Ask any Black woman about the 1994 Academy Awards and you’ll probably hear something like …
“As far as I am concerned, Angela won!”
Twenty-nine years ago, Bassett was nominated (but didn’t win) for her portrayal of Tina Turner. We won’t let it go!
This year, she’s up for another Oscar for her role as Queen Ramonda in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” She’s earned several nominations and racked up wins, including a Golden Globe.
Even before the Academy Award nominations were announced, the buzz was that she’d nab her second one. Listen: We LOVE Angela Bassett. We love her artistry, beauty, and longevity. We love how her husband, actor Courtney B. Vance, is her biggest cheerleader. We admire her physical beauty – she’s still pretty ripped – and we soak up her performances. Whether it’s a miniseries from the ’90s, a movie from the 2000s, or her gracing our screens from Wakanda, we love her unconditionally. She is Black excellence – and THAT is the real win.
Gametime
The Oscars are my Super Bowl. I cheer, cry, scream, shout, praise dance: I love it. I rearrange my schedule to catch all of the movies before the big day.
I’ll have to wait until March 12 to watch the show. In the meantime, I’ll be at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre for “TINA: The Tina Turner Musical.” Tickets are available and can be purchased here. Buy your ticket today: Performance dates start February 21 and end on February 26. Check the Fox’s website for more details and get ready for an amazing experience. Maybe I’ll see you there!
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