2025 NAACP Image Awards: 5 Hollywood Legends Who Won NAACP Entertainer of the Year
Winning Entertainer of the Year at the NAACP Image Awards is no small feat—it’s a nod from the culture, an acknowledgment of impact, and a celebration of excellence across film, television, music, and beyond.
Over the years, the honor has gone to some of the most influential names in entertainment, solidifying their status as icons. During the 56th annual ceremony hosted by Deon Cole, Keke Palmer took home the coveted award, proving once again why she’s one of the most versatile, hardworking, and charismatic stars in the industry.
From leading box office hits to commanding the stage and social media, she embodies what it means to entertain on all levels.
In celebration of Palmer’s win, we’re revisiting five past winners who dominated their respective fields and took home the NAACP Image Awards’ biggest honors.
Whitney Houston ’94
By 1994, Whitney Houston wasn’t just a singer but a global icon. Coming off the massive success of the 1992 film, “The Bodyguard,” which included the record-breaking “I Will Always Love You,” the late singer was at the peak of her career. Her win as Entertainer of the Year came at a time when she had not only dominated the charts but had also solidified her presence in Hollywood.
Kevin Hart ‘ 14
Few comedians have had a run quite like Kevin Hart in the early 2010s. By the time he won Entertainer of the Year in 2014, he was everywhere—headlining blockbuster films like “Ride Along,” selling out arenas worldwide, and proving that comedy could be a billion-dollar industry.
Michael B. Jordan ’16
Michael B. Jordan’s rise to superstardom was nothing short of spectacular. In 2016, he took home Entertainer of the Year, fresh off his career-defining role in “Creed” the year before. His performance as Adonis Creed not only proved he could carry a franchise but also cemented him as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after leading men.
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Angela Bassett ’23
In 2023, Hollywood icon Angela Bassett was named NAACP Image Awards Entertainer of the Year. She celebrated a career-defining performance as Queen Ramonda in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Her powerful portrayal not only earned widespread critical acclaim but also made history, making her the first Marvel actor ever nominated for an Academy Award.
Keke Palmer ‘24
Keke Palmer’s Entertainer of the Year win at the 56th Annual NAACP Image Awards served as a full-circle moment. From her days as a child star in “Akeelah and the Bee” to becoming a major force in Hollywood, Palmer has done it all—acting, singing, hosting, producing, and even stepping into the gaming world.
