Angela Bassett is a Disney Legend! D23 closed out the legendary fan event with the legends ceremony that honored the two-time Oscar nominee and star of “Black Panther,” at Disney’s D23 ultimate fan event in Anaheim, California, on Sunday, August 11 at the Honda Center. Joining Bassett in her legends class were Colleen Atwood, Martha Blanding, James L. Brooks, James Cameron, Jamie Lee Curtis, Miley Cyrus, Steve Ditko, Harrison Ford, Mark Henn, Frank Oz, Kelly Ripa, Joe Rohde, and John Williams.
She was introduced by her “Black Panther” director Ryan Coogler, who was flanked by a recreation of the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever set and escorted by the Dora Milaje the personal bodyguards of Bassett’s Queen Ramonda in the Oscar winning movie.
Bassett is known for giving some of the most emotional and inspiring acceptance speeches and this speech was no different. Check out her memorable words below.
“Such warmth,” she said about the greeting she received from the Honda Center crowd. “Thank you, Thank you to everyone one of you. Take some of this warmth for yourselves. Ryan Coogler, Ryan Coogler, my brother, my friend, my colleague, a true visionary and brilliant storyteller in your own right. Thank you for that wonderful presentation. I love you. Thank you to the talented creators and visionaries at Disney for including me in this esteemed company. Congratulations to all the Disney legends tonight. It is an honor to stand alongside you, each of you. Now when I think of Disney, “The Princess and the Frog” most immediately comes to mind as an example of their legacy of imaginative storytelling. For me, it has all the right ingredients. A story set in the crescent city of New Orleans, with sprinkles of good food and good jazz music and a beautiful, groundbreaking Black princess.
I have had the extraordinary, extraordinary privilege of working throughout my career throughout the Disney universe, including film and television documentaries and animation, as well as the wonderland that are the Disney theme parks. But I have done none of this alone. From day one, in my pursuit of a career as an actress, I have understood that I am a part of something greater than myself. I offer my deepest gratitude to everyone who has supported me on this journey – cast members and crew, creatives who make what you do and what you see, possible. Casting directors, studio execs, costume designers, directors, producers, thank you. I share this honor with all of you.
And to my family and friends and team, your encouragement and support have been a constant source of strength and inspiration. I am forever proud to be your wife, your mother, your sister, your auntie, and your friend. And to the fans, you are the magic. There are not enough words to let you know how much I appreciate you, how much I love you. I stand here today because you have bought the tickets, you have watched the television shows, you have cheered me on my best days and lifted me up on the more difficult ones. Thank you always.
And to everyone in this room, let us all continue to inspire, to nurture to encourage future generations. Not only with the stories we tell, but with the worlds that we create together. To get thank you once again for recognizing me as a Disney Legend.”
Check out all the Legends getting their handprints made below.
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