Queen Latifah Will Host The 2023 NAACP Image Awards With Guest Presenters Kerry Washington, Zendaya, Janelle Monáe, And More

Queen Latifah - NBC

African American actress and cultural icon Queen Latifah has been chosen to host the 54th NAACP Image Awards set to air live Saturday, February 25, 2023, at 8 PM on BET.  The show will also be simulcast across Paramount Global networks including BET Her, CBS, CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV, MTV2, Paramount Network, Pop TV, Smithsonian, TV Land, and VH1.

Queen Latifah has expressed how honored she feels to host the 54th NAACP Image Awards, giving a special note that this is the year when 50 years of Hip Hop are recognized. She has claimed that the 54th NAACP Image Awards is a celebration of Black excellence and contribution to the entertainment industry and a time for commemorating the Black community by lifting each other up.

Guest presenters for the BET and NAACP Image Awards include Kerry Washington, Zendaya, Janelle Monáe, Brian White, Issa Rae, Janelle James, Jonathan Majors, Letitia Wright, Terrence Howard, Tracee Ellis Ross, and many more. Nominees for the 54th NAACP Image Awards include Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and The Woman King leading in nominations for the film side, and Abbott Elementary and Black-ish topping the TV categories. Angela Bassett, Mary J. Blige, Quinta Brunson, Viola Davis, and Zendaya are among the nominees for Entertainer of the Year.

The NAACP Image Awards opened on Monday night with the highlights being Beyoncé winning Best Female Artist, Outstanding Soul/R&B Single going to "Cuff It," and Outstanding Album being awarded to Renaissance. Rihanna was named Best Video/Visual Album for "Lift Me Up," while the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever album was named Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album.