‘He Was My Guide’: Angela Bassett Recalls Meeting Chadwick Boseman Years Before ‘Black Panther!’

Yahoo.com, By Niko Mann-ATLANTA BLACK STAR, Posted June 27th 2022

Actress Angela Bassett told the story of first meeting the late Chadwick Boseman the year she was receiving an honorary degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C. where he was a student. She recounted this time during an appearance on “The Kelly Clarkson Show”.

The Academy Award-nominated actress met Boseman when she was in Washington, D.C. for a ceremony to receive an honorary Ph.D. at Howard. However, Boseman didn’t remind her of their previous meeting until after the filming of “Black Panther.”

“He told me that at the opening party, at the premiere party,” Bassett revealed. “And I was like, ‘Ahhhhh, you cold water!’ I can’t hold water, you know. And we sat next to each other every morning in the makeup chair. You know, as we’re getting our lines and our accents and our work together for the day … He’s just amazing, and he reminded me of that.”

Bassett also recalled the meeting on social media when Boseman tragically died on Aug. 28, 2020, after battling colon cancer. “It was meant to be for Chadwick and me to be connected, for us to be family,” Bassett wrote. “But what many don’t know is our story began long before his historic turn as Black Panther. During the premiere party for Black Panther, Chadwick reminded me of something. He whispered that when I received my honorary degree from Howard University, his alma mater, he was the student assigned to escort me that day.”

Bassett also noted she was honored to have worked with Boseman and to enjoy the full-circle moment of the two playing mother and son. “This young man’s dedication was awe-inspiring, his smile contagious, his talent unreal. So I pay tribute to a beautiful spirit, a consummate artist, a soulful brother…’thou aren’t not dead but flown afar…’. All you possessed, Chadwick, you freely gave. Rest now, sweet prince. #WakandaForever.”

Bassett recently wrapped filming the sequel to “Black Panther” in Atlanta in March. The “Waiting To Exhale” actress also has signed on to play Lady Bayford in the film “Damsel” by filmmaker Juan Carlos Fresnadillo. The fantasy film also will star Millie Bobby Brown from “Stranger Things.” It’s set to premiere on Netflix in early 2023.