Make no debate about it, the fruits of Denzel Washington, Tyler Perry and Alicia Keys' labor dominated the 39th NAACP Image Awards.
Washington's cinematic pet project The Great Debaters, a heart-tugging drama about the rise of the debate team at an African-American college in Depression-era Texas, scored four awards, including Outstanding Motion Picture and Outstanding Actor for its director-star.
"It's just a joy and an honor to be here," Washington said—once the whoops and shouts of "I love you!" had died down—while accepting his acting trophy, for which he beat out, among others, Don Cheadle and Terrence Howard. "I'll be at that other show next week but my heart is here and I'm just so happy to see these young people get recognized." (Washington is set to present at the Oscars Feb. 24.)
Jurnee Smollett and 17-year-old Denzel Whitaker, named Outstanding Actress and Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture, helped make the film the most winning production of the night.
Then there was Alicia Keys, who matched The Great Debaters all by herself. She also took home four trophies, earning Outstanding Album honors for the platinum-selling As I Am and top music video and song awards for "Like You'll Never See Me Again."
"No One" could top her in the Outstanding Female Artist category, either.
Chris Brown took home the male counterpart of that award, and Jordin Sparks continued to take steps out of that American Idol box, getting named Outstanding New Artist.
The NAACP Image Awards honor achievements in film, television, music and literature, most of which are recognized off-camera, the better to make time for performances and tributes to luminaries such as Stevie Wonder, this year's Hall of Fame Award winner; Aretha Franklin, receiver of the Vanguard Award; and a resurgent Ruby Dee, who can line her Chairman's Award up next to that SAG trophy she recently won.
"I was here when the sets were falling down and cue cards were being written in the wings just before the artists walked on stage," Franklin said, reminiscing about the NAACP's inaugural ceremony. "This is the icing on the cake for me."
D.L. Hughley presided over the festivities at Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium, where the mood varied from spiritual to humbling to joyous to just plain uplifting.
"This is awesome, thank you so much," Ugly Betty star America Ferrera, a winner for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy, said onstage. "I love to be a part of this show because it's fun to be a part of, but also for what it stands for…It feels really good to be in this room with such wonderful, beautiful, colorful faces."
Ferrera's win, coupled with costar Vanessa Williams' repeat win for her comedic supporting turn as the malevolent Wilhelmina, was the only thing standing in the way of a clean sweep for Tyler Perry's House of Payne in the comedy-TV categories.
The TBS sitcom, recently picked up for a third season, was named Outstanding Comedy Series and provided actors LaVan Davis and Lance Gross with their first wins for their respective lead and supporting roles.
"I just gotta tell you guys—I'm so especially excited and honored and I want to say thank you to each and every one of you who supported this when nobody thought it would work," Perry said in accepting his creation's top award.
"I don't care if a thousand people tell you no, if you get one yes from God, that's all you need to make it."
Perry's latest eponymous big-screen contribution, Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married, also fueled Janet Jackson's win for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture.
Grey's Anatomy, a repeat choice for Outstanding Drama Series, made a similarly strong showing with three awards. Chandra Wilson won her second straight Supporting Actress trophy and Shonda Rhimes was once again honored for writing, a win she shared with Krista Vernoff for the episode "A Change Is Gonna Come."
Not wanting to spoil a good thing, apparently, voters also bestowed the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama title upon Omar Epps for the second year in a row.
The Unit's Regina Taylor was named Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series, while CSI: NY star Hill Harper, who won for acting in a drama, shared his award with the special lady in his life.
"This is for you," Harper told his mom, who accompanied him on stage. "Happy Valentine's Day. The Image Award means legacy. This woman represents my legacy."
Here's a list of the major winners at the 39th NAACP Image Awards (for a complete list, check out naacpimageawards.net):
FILM
- Outstanding Motion Picture: The Great Debaters
- Actor: Denzel Washington, The Great Debaters
- Actress: Jurnee Smollett, The Great Debaters
- Supporting Actor: Denzel Whitaker, The Great Debaters
- Supporting Actress: Janet Jackson, Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?
- Independent or Foreign Film: Honeydripper
- Documentary (Theatrical or TV): Darfur Now
TELEVISION:
- Drama Series: Grey's Anatomy
- Actor in a Drama: Hill Harper, CSI: NY
- Actress in a Drama: Regina Taylor, The Unit
- Supporting Actor: Omar Epps, House
- Supporting Actress: Chandra Wilson, Grey's Anatomy
- Comedy Series: Tyler Perry's House of Payne
- Actor in a Comedy: LaVan Davis, Tyler Perry's House of Payne
- Actress in a Comedy: America Ferrera, Ugly Betty
- Supporting Actor: Lance Gross, Tyler Perry's House of Payne
- Supporting Actress: Vanessa Williams, Ugly Betty
- TV Movie, Miniseries or Special: Life Support
- Actor in a TV Movie, Miniseries or Special: (tie) Wayne Brady, The List and Wendell Pierce, Life Support
- Actress in a TV Movie, Miniseries or Special: Queen Latifah, Life Support
- Reality Series: Run's House 4
- Talk Show: Tavis Smiley "Crisis in Darfur"
MUSIC:
- New Artist: Jordin Sparks
- Male Artist: Chris Brown
- Female Artist: Alicia Keys
- Duo or Group: Eddie & Gerald Levert
- Music Video: "Like You'll Never See Me Again," Alicia Keys
- Song: "Like You'll Never See Me Again," Alicia Keys
- Album: As I Am, Alicia Keys