Angela Bassett is famous for her powerful performances in movies such as Boyz n the Hood and Malcolm X. She received international acclaim with her debut leading role in the 1993 biopic What’s Love Got to Do With It. This was a watershed moment in her career, her first time as the person at the top of the call sheet. Bassett recently reflected on this career-defining experience in the documentary Number One on the Call Sheet: Black Leading Women in Hollywood, currently streaming on Apple TV+.
In the documentary, Bassett recounted her memorable experience of watching What’s Love Got to Do With It in a crowded cinema back in 1993.
“I remember going to a theater in Pasadena — you know, sneaking in — with an audience and sitting in the back,” – Angela Bassett
The film’s screening was a significant event for Bassett as she cherished the audience’s laughter and applause, realizing the profound impact of her performance.
“And just the, you know, Black folks, we’re very vocal in the movie theater.” – Angela Bassett
Her enthusiastic collaboration confirmed to her that this position would indeed put her name and face on everything, as she hoped. Before long, that prediction became true.
What’s Love Got to Do With It catapulted Bassett into stardom. It further entrenched her power and enormous influence in Tinseltown. She went on to appear in The How Stella Got Her Groove Back, further solidifying her status as an impactful actress.
In our documentary interview, Bassett described in gripping detail a seminal moment from the theater. One audience member was so affected by one such pivotal scene that they shouted out loud.
“I remember a young man in our audience, he said, ‘No! No!’” – Angela Bassett
Looking back on this process, Bassett was adamant that art needs to provoke visceral reactions.
“I’m looking at him — and that’s what you come to do. To affect. Oh, wow. Hallelujah.” – Angela Bassett
