2025 NAACP Image Awards: Keke Palmer Wins Big & More
From Keke’s eloquent speech to a Cynthia Erivo and Lena Waithe spotting, this year’s NAACP Image Awards had plenty of queer moments.
The 2025 NAACP Image Awards celebrated the best in Black excellence on Saturday, Feb. 22, spotlighting these incredible artists, actors, comedians, and creators. From Kerry Washington’s well-deserved Outstanding Actress award for Tyler Perry’s The Six Triple Eight to the Wayans family getting the whole crowd laughing in a way only they could, this year’s show was a hilarious and emotional standout during award season.
A major highlight of the night was actress-comedian-internet personality Keke Palmer. This bisexual star has been making a name for herself in the industry since 2006, when she starred in Akeelah and the Bee. On Saturday night, Palmer was recognized for her 20-year-long impact on the industry with the night’s biggest honor: Entertainer of the Year.
Palmer, who was giving us professional beauty on stage, showed off her incredible charisma while accepting the huge honor.
“It’s such an amazing category to be in with all these people. It is a beautiful night. I mean, it’s Black History Month y’all,” Palmer said as applause rippled through the audience.
The 31-year-old was up against Cynthia Erivo, Kendrick Lamar, Kevin Hart, and Shannon Sharpe. Palmer gave a special shout-out to Erivo for her iconic role in Wicked and showed off her impression of Elphaba’s battle cry.
Palmer, who recently starred in One Of Them Days alongside SZA, continued her speech with some inspiring words from Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor. “You don’t always have to ask for a seat at nobody’s table. Just make your own table with your folks,” she said.
She thanked every person in the room for their continued support throughout her career, reminding them that what and who they choose to support truly does matter.
Related: Queer Black Excellence Will Shine At The 2025 Met Gala
“While we continue to ask for more money—cause we need that!—it’s important that we remember that what we choose and what we deem as important is enough.”
In other gay moments of the night, Erivo stunned on the red carpet in a fitted, pinstripe suit (you know we love a suit). She styled it with a baggy leg and plenty of her always-on-point accessories. The star was also spotted in the crowd with her under-the-radar boo Lena Waithe, looking like an absolute power couple amid engagement rumors.
Related: Cue The Biblical Meltdowns, Cynthia Erivo Announces Her Next Role—Jesus
Speaking of Erivo, Wicked took home the award for Outstanding Soundtrack. Queen Latifah was another big winner of the night, securing the win for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for her role in The Equalizer. Although we would have loved to see her make a red carpet appearance and accept the award, we can only assume that she was at home with her beautiful partner Eboni Nichols and their son Rebel.
The night was full of Black queer excellence off stage as well. Ayo Edebiri received the award for Outstanding Breakthrough Creative in Television in the non-televised pre-show awards. Also in the pre-show awards, Doechii was named Outstanding New Artist and Emilia Perez took home Outstanding International Motion Picture.
In our ally category of the night, the Wayans family was inducted into the NAACP Hall of Fame during the ceremony. Marlon Wayans has been an outspoken supporter of his transgender son, Kai, and has discussed his journey to understanding and acceptance. The White Chicks star recently went after Souja Boy for spewing homophobic slurs at Kai, and he did not hold back. No one is messing with his son!
A huge round of applause for the fantastic stars that were honored Saturday night.
