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2025 NAACP Image Awards: Meet the Drama Queens Vying for Outstanding Actress

From Angela Bassett to Zoe Saldaña, these powerhouse actresses delivered unforgettable performances.

The 2025 NAACP Image Awards nominees have officially been announced, and the competition is fiercer than ever.

This year’s lineup is stacked with talent, featuring a legendary Hollywood icon, a trailblazing rapper-turned-action star, and rising stars redefining drama on their own terms.

Each nominee brings her unique flair to the table, making the competition for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series one to watch. Tune in to the NAACP Image Awards 2025 to see who takes home the honor when it airs on February 22, 2025. In the meantime, get familiar with the five drama queens vying for top honors. 

  • Angela Bassett / 9-1-1

    Angela Bassett continues to prove why she’s a Hollywood icon. As Athena Grant, the no-nonsense LAPD sergeant in 9-1-1, Bassett delivers a masterclass balancing raw emotion with unwavering authority.

  • Emayatzy Corinealdi / Reasonable Doubt

    In Hulu’s “Reasonable Doubt,” Emayatzy Corinealdi brings depth and grit to the role of Jax Stewart, a brilliant and unapologetic criminal defense attorney navigating the complexities of her career and personal life.

  • Queen Latifah / The Equalizer

    Queen Latifah shines as Robyn McCall in “The Equalizer.” As a former CIA operative turned vigilante, Latifah’s character delivers a mix of action and heartfelt emotion.

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  • Shanola Hampton / Found

    Shanola Hampton shines as Gabi Mosely, a crisis management expert dedicated to finding the missing, in NBC’s “Found.” Hampton’s performance captures the courage and vulnerability of a woman haunted by her past while fighting for others.

  • Zoe Saldaña / Lioness

    In “Lioness,” actress Zoe Saldaña commands attention as Joe, a Marine operative leading a covert CIA program. Saldaña’s gripping portrayal of a woman navigating the moral complexities of her mission while balancing her role as a mother adds depth and nuance to this action-packed drama.

    Watch the NAACP Image Awards live on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 8:00 pm ET/PT on BET.

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