Latest news with #CriticsChoiceAssociation
UPI
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- UPI
'Thunderbolts,' 'Last of Us' lead Critics Choice Super Awards nominees
June 11 (UPI) -- The nominations for the Critics Choice Super Awards are in. Deadpool & Wolverine, starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman as the titular characters, tied with Thunderbolts, starring Florence Pugh, for the most film nominations. Both titles are up for six awards, including Best Superhero Movie, according to a press release. The Last of Us, the TV series starring Pedro Pascal, is also nominated for six awards, topping the television categories. The show's nominations include Best Superhero Series, Limited Series or Made-for-TV Movie and Best Horror Series, Limited Series or Made-for-TV Movie. The Critics Choice Association holds the Critics Choice Super Awards to honor fan favorites in the superhero, sci-fi and fantasy, horror and action genres in television and film. "The Super Awards continue to spotlight the incredible achievements in genre cinema and television. This year's slate of nominees truly blew us away with their performances and craftmanship," said CCA Super Awards director Sean O'Connell in a statement. "These selections represent the very best of popular culture, and we can't wait to see who takes home the honors." Winners for the 5th annual awards show will be announced Aug. 7 at 9 a.m. EDT on Marvel stars walk the red carpet
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Joy and visibility take center stage at Critics Choice LGBTQ+ Cinema & TV celebration
Joy, pride and community were just some of the words that honorees of the Critics Choice Association's second annual Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema and Television called out at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles over the weekend. Actress and comedian Sherry Cola, who hosted the ceremony for the second time, told Gold Derby she was 'thrilled to be here.' More from GoldDerby Pickleball, punchlines, and personal growth: 'Hacks' stars Megan Stalter and Paul W. Downs on their bond and what's next 'That feeling of having a first crush': How Zach Cherry and Merritt Wever made their 'Severance' marriage feel real Brandon Scott Jones on CBS' 'Ghosts': 'I enjoy playing characters that are desperate' 'This is a celebration of all of our victories this year and also a reminder of our resilience,' the Joy Ride star said. 'As a community, just making sure queerness is still on the screen at all times.' The event welcomed a variety of film and television stars who spanned multiple generations. Taking home the Career Achievement Award was film, TV and stand-up star Wanda Sykes, who told Gold Derby she was thrilled to see how LGBTQ+ visibility has grown in Hollywood. 'The number of people who are here tonight being honored, that just shows tremendous growth in our industry,' she said. 'This is just a beautiful thing to have, especially for Pride Month. So very excited to be here.' Shrinking star Michael Urie, who was honored with the Trailblazer Award, joked that the word 'trailblazer' made him 'feel a little bit old' but admitted he also gets it. 'When I was first on TV and when I came out, there weren't a lot of gay characters on TV and there weren't a lot of out gay actors, and there's a lot more now,' he said. 'So many that we can fill a whole night celebrating them. So I'm really proud.' 'There are still so many kids out there who are growing up in a family where they're the only one like them. They're the only queer person in their family,' Urie said. 'Television can still show, 'Hey, look, you'll find a chosen family out there.' In Shrinking, even though the show is mostly straight people, it is a show about chosen family. And that is something that is so important to the queer community.' Wanda Sykes Sasheer Zamata, who starred as queer witch Jennifer Kale on Disney+ series Agatha All Along and took home the Breakthrough Performance Award, said she was thrilled to play a superhero character who was also part of the LGBTQ+ community. 'I'm a superhero nerd myself, and so being able to provide a character and portray a character that is queer — and is also a layered character at that — feels really, really cool,' Zamata said. 'I am so thankful that there are so many people who can relate to these characters and relate to the story, and I just want to be able to tell more stories like that.' For Severance star Tramell Tillman, who was honored with the Supporting Performance Award, Drama Series, he told Gold Derby that he's been dreaming about these moments since childhood. 'I remember being 10 years old and making the decision that I wanted to be an actor and practicing my Oscar speech and my Emmy speech,' he said. 'And so the young Tramell is really, really excited.' He added that representing as an LGBTQ+ actor was an opportunity that he didn't want 'to squander or take for granted.' 'It's my hope that I'm giving justice to the community and representing well,' he said. Another first-time honoree, Rising Star Award winner Benito Skinner, who created and stars in Overcompensating, told Gold Derby that the awards attention 'feels very surreal' especially because he sat with the project for about five years. 'I've been at places and people will bring up the characters to me or something and I'm like, 'Oh f--k, it's out.' I keep forgetting,' he said. 'I feel so lucky and I'm just glad that people, I think, are excited about the show and are loving it and laughing and crying.' With his Prime Video series taking place in college, Skinner's advice for young people is that coming out should happen on their own timeline. 'I think that I judged myself for so long after I came out because I was like, 'Oh, I should have done it 20 years ago.' Like I missed out on so much of my life,' he said. 'But I think we all have our reasons, and take your time and find places where you feel safe. Find your community, and I think you'll find people that will allow you to feel comfortable to come out when it's the right time for you.' Yellowjackets star Liv Hewson said being honored by the LBGTQ+ community also felt 'surreal' but that they are 'grateful.' Having previously spoken out about gendered awards as a nonbinary actor, the other Rising Star Award recipient told Gold Derby that 'it's not lost on me that this is a position that I might not get many opportunities to be in at the moment. So I plan to make the most of it.' Comic icon Bruce Vilanch told Gold Derby he couldn't be happier to see the LGBTQ+ community growing. 'I think it's great that there's so much visibility,' he said, 'because I think that is how LGBT, WTF, LOL people get the rights that they deserve to get under the American system — by being visible.' Here's the complete list of Critics Choice Association Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema and Television Award recipients: Career Achievement Award: Wanda Sykes Groundbreaker Award: Niecy Nash-Betts (Grotesquerie) Trailblazer Award: Michael Urie (Shrinking) Industry Leadership Award: Howard Cohen and Eric d'Arbeloff, co-presidents of Roadside Attractions Comedy Award: Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live) Vanguard Award: Nathan Lee Graham (Mid-Century Modern) Documentary Award: Harper Steele and Will Ferrell, along with director Josh Greenbaum (Will & Harper) Reality TV Award: The season 17 cast of RuPaul's Drag Race Ensemble Award: Bridget Everett, Jeff Hiller, Murray Hill, Mary Catherine Garrison & Tim Bagley (Somebody Somewhere) — Supporting Performance Award, Drama Series: Tramell Tillman (Severance) Supporting Performance Award, Comedy Series: Gideon Glick (Étoile) Breakthrough Performance Award: Megan Stalter (Hacks) Breakthrough Performance Award: Benito Skinner (Overcompensating) Rising Star Award: Sasheer Zamata (Agatha All Along) Rising Star Award: Liv Hewson (Yellowjackets) Best of GoldDerby Streamy Awards 2023: Everything to know about 13th annual event Click here to read the full article.
Forbes
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Hollywood Stars Discuss The Progress Happening For LGBTQ+ Storytelling
In a world that can often times feel rather divisive lately, the sharing of LGBTQ+ stories in films and on television have created not only a more inclusive feeling of better representation for those within its community, but it has allowed people from all walks of life to better understand both the victories and the struggles that these individuals have had to endure over the years. This past Friday, the Critics Choice Association had its second annual Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television event, honoring LGBTQ+ entertainment leaders that have paved the way to ensure that authentic portrayals of their community continue to be widely shared with audiences everywhere. Speaking with several honorees, presenters and attendees, I asked all of them one specific question - What are you enjoying most about the ways of the LGBTQ+ community's exposure within Hollywood today, and what do you feel still needs to be improved upon most within the entertainment industry? Nathan Lee Graham, who stars on Hulu's Mid-Century Modern comedy series, said, 'That is a big question! Well, what I love is that we exist, period, right? That many stories are being told from many different perspectives, and that we're not a monolith. So, we have coming-of-age stories, discovery stories, horror films - we also have wonderful comedies where people are over 25, like my show Mid-Century Modern, where you can see people existing in real life, speaking like real people. What we need, though - we need more projects greenlit. That's the most important thing. The content is out there, but they have to be greenlit and it has to be the wealth and the experience of all the people that bring the stories to these studios, or to these producers or the companies that are producing TV shows, like Amazon or Apple. So, greenlit our stories. There are lots of them.' Megan Stalter, who currently stars on Hacks on HBO Max, said, 'I think it's just so amazing to see so many queer stories and characters, because I feel like growing up, I didn't see half as many as I do now. The Hacks creators do such a good job of that. Broad City is one of the first bisexual characters I've ever seen. I just want more, more, more!' Sherry Cola, who hosted the evening and stars on Netflix's Nobody Wants This, said, 'Listen, I love seeing queerness on the screen because it's just so colorful - the way we express and the way we show people who we are, and we've been through so much. It's a sign of resilience, it's a sign of the victories and it's the sign of the fire. Every single time we celebrate like this, we're reminded that we're all in this together and we won't stop until we get what we deserve. There is still so much work to be done, especially in the intersectionalities. I'm obviously an immigrant - I'm Chinese-American, I'm bisexual, I'm a woman. I feel like we're all representing so much and we just want to make sure no one is left out.' Tramell Tillman, who stars on the Apple TV+ Severance drama series and can be seen in the new Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning film alongside Tom Cruise, said, 'One thing that needs to improve is that we deserve to be heard. One thing that I love to see is that there are so many diverse voices in many different stories that are being told. We need to continue to protect our trans brothers and sisters - and so, I hope that environments like this and media persons will help to uplift the voices of the trans community.' Josh Greenbaum, who is the director of Netflix's Will & Harper documentary film, said, 'Oh, that's a good question. What I am enjoying is that it just continues to grow, in terms of people consciously thinking about how do we have LGBTQ stories out there, characters out there and representative. I am thinking all the way back to my very first film, Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar - it was an interesting process because I think the GLAAD media report had been out and around prior, but I don't know how many years. I remember the time and an interesting experience where the media report had just come out and I was making that film for Lionsgate, and as a result to that report that said Lionsgate, the year prior, had zero LGBTQ characters in its project. Granted, in their defense, I don't think they had a lot of projects but it still was indefensible. That report then caused them to turn to me and Kristen Wiig and Annie [Mumolo] and say, 'Hey, let's look at this movie Barb and Star - are there characters and places where we can represent queer culture in a way that maybe you hadn't thought about?' That to me was a very big, transformative moment. I love that, that has been growing and happening. In terms of your second question, we just need a lot more. We need to keep saying this louder and louder and louder, and not backing down. It's so joyful to see - and by the way, queer stories are the best and trans stories!' Sasheer Zamata, who stars on the Disney+ Marvel series Agatha All Along, said, 'I think my favorite thing is that we are getting so much queer content by queer people. I think it's really wonderful that we're seeing so many writers-performers create things, so many directors. You want to hear stories from people who understand that perspective. I think it's wonderful that they're getting so many opportunities today. I would say I would hope more of that is happening. It's not just the performers and not just the writers, but it's also the producers and also the directors. I want more representation throughout.' Benito Skinner, who created and stars in Prime Video's Overcompensating comedy series, said, 'Well, I think we need more stories. Right now, I feel lucky that I was able to make my story into a show and that it's on a place like Prime Video where people can see it. I think we just need more stories. I need more and I am feeling like there are less, and that I think is scaring me. So, I'm glad we have something like this tonight to celebrate these stories that we need desperately at a time right now, when so many people are feeling ostracized and attacked and unsafe. So, to have something like this tonight to celebrate people who want to make art about queer people, because we need it and it's the best art.' Liv Hewson, who stars in Paramount Plus with Showtime's Yellowjackets drama series, said, 'What I like the most is the variety. I want to be one of many and I count myself very lucky that I am, and I want more. I want continued variety because that to me represents the almost infinite diversity of the queer community in real life. So, that's important to me.' Tonatiuh, who will soon debut his breakout role alongside Jennifer Lopez in Roadside Attractions' much-anticipated Kiss of the Spider Woman film, said, 'The one thing that I see that I'm loving - the jokes are joking. The comedy scene is incredible in the queer community. We've infiltrated mainstream culture - we're here! What could be improved? You know what I would love? I love melodramas and I want more raw, naturalistic, queer dramas. I think that would be really fun.' Michael Urie, who stars on the Apple TV+ Shrinking series, said, 'The only way to improve LGBT content in Hollywood right now is for more of it, but I feel like we're doing some really special things. If this night is any indication, it's across the entire medium of television and we have infiltrated all the genres, and there's enough of us now to fill a whole night of celebration and that's really exciting. So, I feel we're doing a lot right and the only thing that would make it better is more of it.' Danielle Pinnock, who stars on the CBS comedy series Ghosts, said, 'First of all, it is an honor to have a seat at this table. I am honoring and presenting Niecy Nash - her Groundbreaker Award. She is truly my North Star and I'm just going to lean really into the Black LGBTQIA+ community. I would not be here without my girls. As a theater geek who was plus size and no one was checking for, it was the queer community that said, 'No, we're choosing her and she is going to win.' So, I'm so grateful for the LGBTQIA+ community.' Niecy Nash-Betts, who most recently can be seen starring in Ryan Murphy's FX series Grotesquerie, said, 'I love the fact that I've gotten play queer characters on television. Not only that, but I got to do it with the love of my life. So, we got to be a couple on television, which I thought was super cool. I also thought it was cool that particular character that I played on The Rookie: Feds was an equal opportunity dater. She dated everybody, you know what I mean? She was like a living apostle of love is love.' Tim Bagley, who stars in the HBO Max Somebody Somewhere series, said, 'I love that there's a lot of visibility in the LGBTQ+ world. I feel like, collectively, all of us in the community need to kind of center around our trans and nonbinary brothers & sisters because they're being kind of sought out and demonized. And so, I am at an age where I grew up hearing all those same things, like this is a choice and you're asking us adjust to you and all this kind of nonsense that I remember hearing when I was growing up as a gay man. Now, they don't really say that as much about gay people, but I just feel like as a community, we need to center around our trans and nonbinary brothers & sisters right now.' Wanda Sykes, the longtime comedian and the evening's Career Achievement Award recipient, concluded by saying, 'What I love the most is the number, you know? We've had such tremendous growth, as far as with our stories being told and representation. I look around tonight and I look at this amazing group of people. Ten years ago, it wasn't like this, as far as like this level and the amount of people. This is growth. I'm very proud and very happy to see it.' As for improvements still needed surrounding the LGBTQ+ community, Sykes added: 'I think right now, it's more support for the trans community. They're really being attacked, especially from the government. So, I really think that we need to look out for our trans brothers & sisters.'
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nathan Lee Graham, Megan Stalter Honored at CCA's 2nd Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television
Nathan Lee Graham, Megan Stalter Honored at CCA's 2nd Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television originally appeared on L.A. Mag. Performers, creators, producers and writers from film, television and streaming platforms walked the rainbow carpet upon arrival at the festive Fairmont Century Plaza for the Critics Choice Association's 2nd Annual Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television on Friday, June event, hosted by Sherry Cola, brought together actors, writers, trailblazers and allies from across the entertainment industry — both in front of and behind the camera — to honor the diverse voices shaping our world Angeles magazine's June cover star Nathan Lee Graham of Mid-Century Modern received the first award of the night, the Vanguard Award. "I think this is quite appropriate that I should be first," he began. "First of all, as one of the senior members of this tribe ... one doesn't want to fall asleep. Secondly, I can start drinking!" He then turned more serious in discussing the meaning of the term Vanguard: "[People] leading the way on the forefront of new ideas, the foremost part of an advancing army: We are soldiers of love, and we use our weapons of joy: whit, glamour and tenacity, to overcome any and all obstacles put before us." Graham finished: "All of the content that is represented here tonight is valid and worthy and needed," he said to applause. "Let's keep it up, let's keep it CUTE, let's keep it relevant and let's keep it moving!" Next, Megan Stalter — also honored in Los Angeles magazine's June issue, and the star of Hacks as well as the upcoming Lena Dunham show, Too Much — recited a handwritten speech from a piece of paper upon winning the Breakthrough Performance Award."God, I look so beautiful tonight!" began Stalter, who received a bouquet of flowers and donned a tiara and sash. "I just can't believe it! This award is such a surprise to me. I'm in shock that a country bumpkin brunette made her way all the way to Hollywood and now I'm accepting the award for best gay actor of all time!" "This will be the first of many of course, because I'm so talented and wonderful to work with," she continued. "I wish I could have prepared a speech, but I'm so surprised, laid-back and chill about this! The truth is, I will always see myself as this genius, incredible, perfect, once-in-a-lifetime ingenue that you all see me as!" She went on: "I'm just a girl who walked into HBO Max, sat down, and said, 'I want to make history.' And that's what we did." She also thanked God — "The Christian god, I'm not kidding, it's okay to be Christian and gay, by the way" — and noted how great it is "to not have to hide parts of ourselves." "It's exciting, beautiful and okay to be different," Stalter finished, "and also, I'm playing Kayla as gay!" Other honorees included Michael Urie, who won Trailblazer Award for Shrinking ("I was actively encouraged to stay in the closet even after playing Mark St. James on Ugly Betty," he noted); Niecy Nash-Betts, who won the Groundbreaker Award for Grotesquerie; Bowen Yang, who received the Comedy Award for Saturday Night Live; Tramell Tillman, who received the Supporting Performance Award – Drama Series for Severance; and Liv Hewson, who received the Rising Star Award for Yellowjackets. To close the night, Wanda Sykes received the Career Achievement Award. 'I believe that's what our community does, we take care of each other," she said. "I know that love is stronger than hate … We gotta be prouder, we gotta be louder, we have to protect our trans brothers and sisters … that's our next movement.' Sponsors for the event included Here Media, IMDbPro and Milagro Tequila, and event partners included FIJI Water and NEP Sweetwater. The show will stream on HereTV — the first and largest LGBTQ+ television and streaming service in the U.S. — during Pride Month in June. This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Wanda Sykes urges Hollywood to 'protect our trans brothers and sisters'
Comedian Wanda Sykes recently attended Critics Choice LGBTQ+ Celebration, where she give a shout out to "trans brothers and sisters". As per Variety, Sykes, who was honored with the Career Achievement Award Tuesday at the Critics Choice Association's 2nd Annual Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television, said, "I believe that's what our community does, we take care of each other. .. I know that love is stronger than hate... We gotta be prouder, we gotta be louder." The celebration honured achievements from LGBTQ+ creators and talent within the entertainment industry, showcasing emerging and established talent. Sykes, who is currently on the European leg of her "Wanda Sykes Please and Thank You" tour, flew in for the event. Accepting the award from "Wanda Does It" co-star Tim Bagley, Sykes said, "I can't think of a community that's more loving than who we are. We are just trying to love and exist, and then when you have people from the outside that's attacking you for that, I think that's what makes us stronger." She added, "Any adversity makes you stronger, and that's who we are." Bowen Yang (Comedy Award; "Saturday Night Live"), Bridget Everett (Ensemble Award; "Somebody Somewhere"), Eric d'Arbeloff (Industry Leadership Award; Co-President of Roadside Attractions), the Queens of "RuPaul's Drag Race" (Reality TV Award; "RuPaul's Drag Race" Season 17), Niecy Nash-Betts (Groundbreaker Award; "Grotesquerie") and Tramell Tillman (Supporting Performance Award - Drama Series; "Severance") were also honoured at the event. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
