Whew! Where are the tissues?! Chadwick Boseman’s widow – Simone Ledward Boseman – speaks out for the fist time since the passing of her husband. She accepted an award at the IFP Gotham Awards on his behalf and her speech has us tearing up. See the touching tribute inside…
The world was utterly shocked when news boke that Chadwick Boseman died. The Black Panther star died in August at the age of 43 from stage III colon cancer. He had kept his diagnosis a secret for four years, so when he did pass away, it hit hard. It still hurts.
The Hollywood actor’s wife – Simone Ledward Boseman – spoke out publicly for the first time since his death to accept an award on his behalf at the 30th annual IFP Gotham Awards. He was honored with the Gotham Actor Tribute, while his Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom co-star Viola Davis received the Actress Tribute. Chadwick portrayal of Levee in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (exeuctive produced by Denzel Washington) was his last role.
Simone praised her late husband for always seeking honesty and paid tribute to his legacy both on and offscreen.
“He was the most honest person I’d ever met because he didn’t just stop at speaking the truth,” she said. “He actively searched for it in himself and those around him and in the moment… If one does not live in truth then it’s impossible to live in line with the divine purpose for your life. And so it became how he lived his life, day in and out. Imperfect but determined.”
She talked about how Chadwick’s thirst for the truth heled inspire his performances of historic Black figures like Jackie Robinson in addition to his role as T’Challa in Black Panther.
“He realized that when one is able to recognize that when their strength does not come from themself, they rarely mess up,” she said. “That’s what he was doing when he was acting. [He] was not merely telling a story or reading lines on a page, but modeling a path to true fulfillment.”
She cried as she said “Chad, thank you. I love you. I am so proud of you. Keep shining your light on us. Thank you.”
Grab some tissue and watch her touching speech below:
Whew! It still doesn’t feel real that he’s gone. We pray for strength for her and their family. We’re still not OK.
Other YBFers who took home awards include:
Steve McQueen wins the Director Tribute.
“I May Destory You” (produced and starring Michaela Coel) won the Breakthrough Series – Under 40 Minutes award.
“Watchmen” (starring Regina King) won the Breakthrough Series – Over 40 Minutes award.
And Nicole Beharie won Best Actress for Miss Juneteenth.
Photo: DFree/Shutterstock.com/Twitter Screenshot
