“The Bear” breakout Ayo Edebiri and “The Holdovers’” Da’Vine Joy Randolph continued their awards season domination with big wins at the 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards on Sunday.
Randolph was honored with the Best Supporting Actress award for her performance as Mary Lamb. This moment comes on the heels of her Golden Globe win, making her look like the Oscars frontrunner. She thanked co-stars Paul Giamatti, who won for Best Actor, and Dominic Sessa, who won for Best Young Actor/Actress, and director Alexander Payne. The aptly named Da’Vine also celebrated the amazing women in her life who inspired her performance.
“To play a woman that has so many things, to see themselves as a gift. And I want to have a moment to thank the incredible women in my life, who have made me the artist I am today,” she said. “I thank my mother for teaching me that hard work and tenacity pays off. My Aunt Shirley who taught me how to be fabulous. My aunt Gwynnie for teaching me how to tell a perfect joke. Thank you to the teachers who have guided me over the years and a special thanks to the women in the industry who have fiercely supported me.”
Best Actress in a Comedy winner Edebiri kept things fun by thanking her castmates, her family abroad, who may or may not be able to watch The CW, and her chosen family “who have seen me when I couldn’t see myself.” Since the show is at Santa Monica’s Barker Hanger, she poked fun at the fact that they were in an airplane hanger.
Ayo and Da’Vine weren’t the only Black heroes in the winner’s circle, as “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” was recognized as the Best Animated Feature. The critically acclaimed “American Fiction” won Best Adapted Screenplay, receiving well-deserved flowers for its extremely clever satire. Sadly, it was another rough night for “The Color Purple” cast and crew, as it’s looking more and more like the film won’t get any awards recognition for the spectacular art they created.