Image Awards Host Deon Cole Faces Barbz Backlash:…
The 2026 award season has been nothing if not unpredictable, but host Deon Cole took issues to a non secular and extremely satirical degree during the 57th NAACP Image Awards on Saturday. Returning to the Pasadena Civic Auditorium to host for the second 12 months in a row, the 54-year-old comic used his opening monologue to ship a mock altar call for a number of celebrities, but it was his particular prayer for Nicki Minaj that despatched the viewers into a frenzy of laughter and disbelief.
Source: Paras Griffin/Kevin Mazur
The jab comes as Nicki Minaj continues to make headlines for her fervent devotion to the MAGA motion. Just days in the past, the “Anaconda” rapper was noticed alongside President Donald Trump at a high-profile cryptocurrency event at Mar-a-Lago, shortly after declaring herself his greatest fan. According to The Mirror U.S., Deon Cole didn’t maintain back, framing his roast as a plea for divine intervention for the rapper’s latest political pivot.
“Lord, we want you to bless our sister Nicki Minaj, Lord, yes. She’s been going through a lot lately,” Cole started, adopting the acquainted cadence of a Sunday morning preacher. A photograph of the 43-year-old rapper (who was not in attendance) appeared on the screen.
Cole took the joke into riskier territory: “She hasn’t been herself, Lord. I believe whatever is in her a** is affecting her brain, Lord. Take it out her a**, Lord. We bind that spirit in her a**, Lord.”
The digital camera panned to a star-studded viewers that included Michael B. Jordan and Regina Hall, capturing a combine of hysterical laughter and surprised expressions. Cole prefaced the bit by noting that “people need prayer in order to get through these times,” before shifting his comedic blessings onto other stars like Teyana Taylor and 50 Cent.
As anticipated, Nicki Minaj followers, aka The Barbz, weren’t laughing so arduous at Cole’s monologue. The stans have been recognized assault anybody who comes for their favourite rapstress, and Cole was no exception. The comic took to Threads to reveal some of the messages he acquired from the Barbz.
One fan discovered a photograph of Cole and his late mom and wrote, “Go dig ur mama upppp.”
Another use wrote, “that why ur fats a** black m&m constructed [a**} mom dead b**** god was giving her grace cause she should’ve died when she was giving birth to u out of her stank a** dry a** raccoon p***y b****.”
Deon Cole Set The Stage For This Year’s NAACP Image Awards
While Deon Cole provided the evening’s viral comedic relief, the ceremony remained a powerful celebration of Black achievement. Beyond the jokes, the NAACP honored several titans of industry for their long-term impact on culture. Viola Davis received the prestigious Chairman’s Award. In her moving acceptance speech, Davis urged the community to “move forward together or not at all,” emphasizing that healing requires a “radical acceptance of one’s truth.”
Colman Domingo was honored with the President’s Award. He was recognized for his “impact, excellence, and commitment” to raising the bar in film and advocacy. Salt-N-Pepa were inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame, celebrating their 40-year legacy of empowering women in hip-hop.
As the night concluded, it was clear that while Cole was willing to poke fun at the headlines affecting his peers. The overarching message of the 2026 NAACP Image Awards was one of resilience and unapologetic celebration.
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