Recapping the
Critics Choice Awards
A Setup for the Oscars
By Pamela Powell
CCA Host Taye Diggs
magine attending a gala event with so many stars, you’re blinded by them. That describes the 24th Annual Critics Choice Awards honoring both television and film and as a newcomer to the Broadcast Film Critics’ Association, it was a wonderfully overwhelming star-studded night filled with energy and excitement as the talent behind the films anticipated revving the momentum for their ultimate goal—an Oscar nomination.
The lights dimmed and flashed as Taye Diggs, this year’s host, lit up the filled-to-capacity Banker
Hanger in Santa
Monica. Diggs, a part
of the television
series “All American”
and an actor in
numerous films, hit
the ground running,
providing not only
song and dance, but
punctuating the fact
that the
entertainment industry, particularly film, is increasing in its inclusivity as he named Barry Jenkins’ “If Beale Street Could Talk,” Spike Lee and Kevin Willmott’s “BlacKkKlansman” and “Crazy Rich Asians.”
Broadcast live, the event buzzed, particularly during commercial breaks when everyone had an opportunity to mingle. Although just a few A-List actors had body guards, the majority of celebrities welcomed a chance to chat with the critics whose nominations brought them to the event. From Lady Gaga and Nicole Kidman to Bradley Cooper and Alfonso Cuaron, the talent both in front of and behind the camera from our favorite movies this year were thrilled to be a part of the celebration.
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