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2025 NAACP Image Awards: 5 Times Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor Stole the Show

From ‘Exhibiting Forgiveness’ to ‘Nickel Boys,’ see why this veteran actress is a two-time nominee at this year’s ceremony

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor is having a stellar awards season, earning several major award nominations, including not one but two nominations in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture category at the upcoming NAACP Image Awards 2025. 

Recognized for her compelling performances in “Exhibiting Forgiveness” and “Nickel Boys,” Ellis-Taylor continues to demonstrate why she’s one of Hollywood’s most formidable talents. 

This year, she shares the spotlight with an impressive roster of nominees, including Danielle Deadwyler (The Piano Lesson), Ebony Obsidian (The Six Triple Eight), and Lynn Whitfield (Albany Road). As we celebrate her artistry, here’s a look at five of her most unforgettable roles that solidify her place among the greats. 

Don’t forget to tune into the NAACP Image Awards on February 22, 2025, to see who takes home the honors.

  • Mattie Moss Clark / The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel

    Taking on the role of gospel legend Mattie Moss Clark, Ellis-Taylor brought depth and dynamism to the matriarch who shaped the sound of modern gospel music.

  • Hippolyta Freeman / Lovecraft Country

    The actress’s portrayal of Hippolyta Freeman in this genre-bending series was a standout in her repertoire. Her journey—from grieving wife to interdimensional adventurer—highlighted her range and gave audiences a multifaceted, empowering character to root for.

  • Sharonne Salaam / When They See Us

    In the critically acclaimed 2019 Netflix miniseries “When They See Us,” Ellis-Taylor delivers a standout performance as Sharonne Salaam, the mother of Yusef Salaam—one of the five teens collectively known as the Exonerated Five.

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  • Joyce / Exhibiting Forgiveness

    Ellis-Taylor’s performance in the Titus Kaphar-directed film “Exhibiting Forgiveness” is being widely hailed as one of her finest to date. As Joyce, she delivers a heartbreaking portrayal of a mother striving to heal deep familial wounds, serving as the emotional bridge of reconciliation between her son and his estranged, troubled father.

  • Ms. Hattie / Nickel Boys

    Ellis-Taylor’s second nominated act of the year comes from “Nickel Boys,” based on Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer-winning novel.

    Her portrayal captures the quiet strength and unwavering resilience of a woman determined to guide her grandson toward a brighter future despite the oppressive challenges of their time.

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

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