2025 NAACP Image Award Nominations

Nominees for the NAACP Image Awards have been announced. Actor Ayo Edebiri is the most nominated individual dual with four nods.

The most-nominated TV series overall is ABC’s Abbott Elementary with 10 nominations, including individual nods for stars Quinta Brunson, Janelle James, Tyler James Williams, William Stanford Davis and Sheryl Lee Ralph.

The 56th installment of the award show will air live on CBS and BET on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 8/7c. Voting is currently open at NAACPImageAwards.net through Friday, Feb. 7.

 "The Piano Lesson" the movie adaptation of an August Wilson play leads film nominations with 14.

Other movies recognized 'Nickel Boys" with six and 'Bob Marley: One Love' and "The Book of Clarence'" and five-time nominees "Wicked"' and "The Six Triple Eight."

In the TV categories, Abbott Elementary leads with 10 nods, followed by Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist, with nine nods. Other top TV nominees include Cross and Genius MLK/X, which each landed seven nods, six-time nominee Bel-Air and five-time nominee Bridgerton.

In the music categories, GloRilla received a leading six nominations, followed by four-time nominees Doechii, Lamar and Usher.

“We look forward to celebrating the brilliance of Black talent and creativity whose stories shape culture, ignite change and inspire generations,” NAACP president and CEO Derrick Johnson said in a statement. “Through film, music, literature and more, their voices weave a rich tapestry that honors our heritage, celebrates our identity and proves that storytelling is a powerful force for driving true progress.”

BET Media Group president and CEO Scott Mills added, “The NAACP Image Awards stand as a testament to the brilliance, resilience, and impact of Black creatives, innovators, and changemakers. BET is proud to continue our long-standing partnership with the NAACP to celebrate Black excellence in all forms. Together, we shine a light on the stories, voices, and artistry that shape culture and drive progress.”

The 56th NAACP Image Awards are set for Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, with the broadcast airing at 8 p.m. on BET and CBS. Winners in multiple categories, however, will be revealed prior to the main telecast at the Creative Honors Ceremonies on Friday, Feb. 21, which will stream on the Image Awards’ website.

Winners in select categories are determined by public voting on the Image Awards’ website. Voting closes on Feb. 7 at midnight ET.

Check out the complete list of this year’s nominees.

Entertainer of the Year

Cynthia Erivo

Keke Palmer

Kendrick Lamar

Kevin Hart

Shannon Sharpe

Outstanding Social Media Personality of the Year

Kai Cenat

Keith Lee

RaeShanda Lias

Shirley Raines

Tony Baker

Outstanding Motion Picture

Bad Boys: Ride or Die (Sony Pictures)

Bob Marley: One Love (Paramount Pictures)

The Piano Lesson (Netflix)

The Six Triple Eight (Netflix)

Wicked (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

André Holland — Exhibiting Forgiveness (Roadside Attractions)

Colman Domingo — Sing Sing (A24)

John David Washington — The Piano Lesson (Netflix)

Kingsley Ben-Adir — Bob Marley: One Love (Paramount Pictures)

Martin Lawrence — Bad Boys: Ride or Die (Sony Pictures)

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture

Cynthia Erivo — Wicked (Universal Pictures)

Kerry Washington — The Six Triple Eight (Netflix)

Lashana Lynch — Bob Marley: One Love (Paramount Pictures)

Lupita Nyong’o — A Quiet Place: Day One (Paramount Pictures)

Regina King — Shirley (Netflix)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

Brian Tyree Henry — The Fire Inside (Amazon MGM Studios)

Corey Hawkins — The Piano Lesson (Netflix)

David Alan Grier — The American Society of Magical Negroes (Focus Features)

Denzel Washington — Gladiator II (Paramount Pictures)

Samuel L. Jackson — The Piano Lesson (Netflix)