So the big question on everyone's mind heading into this weekends 50th annual NAACP Image Awards was whether or notJussie Smollettwas going to show up. Well, he sort of showed up,in spirit at least.
Chris Rock, who was on hand to present the award for Outstanding Comedy Series, had a field day. "They said 'No Jussie Smollett jokes'," Rock quipped. "What a waste of light skin. Do you know what I could do with that light skin? That curly hair? My career would be out of here! I'd be running Hollywood."
The crowd enjoyed the joke, even Trevor Noahnear tears, but Jussie had some vocal supporters - when “Black-ish” won Outstanding Comedy SeriesYara Shahiditold the audience “I stand with Jussie.”
Smollett was nominated, but lost, for best-supporting actor in a television drama for his role as Jamal Lyon on the Fox series "Empire." He was edged out by "Grey's Anatomy" star Jesse Williams.
Beyonce took home the night’s big prize for Entertainer of the Year, matching her husband,Jay-Z,who was the previously announced recipient of this year’s President’s Award. Congress woman Maxine Waters received the NAACP Chairman’s Award and radio host Tom Joyner took home the NAACP Vanguard Award.