- Who was the African-American Film Critics Association‘s Best Actress winner of 2009? According to the official announcement, Nicole Beharie was their choice for her performance in American Violet. But Gabourey Sidibe may have actually received the most votes for Precious.
Was Gabourey Sidibe the African-American Film Critics Association’s actual Best Actress winner?
At a time when critics groups’ year-end announcements have been flooding the awards season market, the African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA), however unintentionally (and however briefly), has found a way to get more attention than its “competitors.”
Who was the AAFCA’s Best Actress of 2009?
On Dec. 14, feature film newcomer Nicole Beharie was officially named their Best Actress for her performance in the little-seen and, so far this awards season, wholly ignored real-life-based socially conscious drama American Violet, directed by Tim Disney (great-nephew of Walt Disney) from a screenplay by Bill Haney (who also produced the film).
But there have been questions about the veracity of the announcement, as another feature film debutante, Gabourey Sidibe, seems to have been the one with the most first- and second-place votes for her widely acclaimed work in Lee Daniels’ family drama Precious – which, in fact, will likely earn her a Best Actress Academy Award nomination.
Besides, Precious was the AAFCA’s choice in the Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actress (Mo’Nique), and Best Screenplay (Geoffrey Fletcher) categories.
So, what actually happened?
Is 8 more than 4? Is 5 more than 1?
“According to the final ballot, which this reporter has seen,” writes The Hollywood Reporter’s Roger Friedman, “Sidibe received eight first-place votes from the 16 critics who participated. Beharie got four first-place finishes, and the rest went to Anika Noni Rose (two votes) and one each for Helen Mirren and Zooey Deschanel. Among second-place finishers, Sidibe got five votes; Beharie got one.”
Accused of manipulating the final tally “to please the producers of American Violet,” African-American Film Critics Association cofounder Gil Robertson IV has defended himself by claiming that Friedman had seen an incomplete tally, as the AAFCA has a total of 22 members. Yet not every member sees things Robertson’s way.
“As you know your recent actions have been called into question because of a series of choices you made without the approval of the founding members of the group, including myself,” AAFCA President Wilson Morales wrote in an email to Robertson.
“Our collective view is that an organization that gives out awards should be ethical and not subjected to bias based on donations from outside sources,” Morales added.
“Gabourey Sidibe Cheated Out of Best Actress Award?” notes
Alfre Woodard and Nicole Beharie American Violet image: Samuel Goldwyn Films | Uncommon Productions.
“Gabourey Sidibe Cheated Out of Best Actress Award?” last modified in January 2025.