Chadwick Boseman’s Widow Called Him the "Most Honest Person" in Touching Tribute
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Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images
Chadwick Boseman's legacy continues to be honored following his tragic death last August. At the the 30th annual IFP Gotham Awards yesterday, January 11th, the late actor's widow, Taylor Simone Ledward, spoke out for the first time since her husband's death. She accepted the Gotham Awards Tribute prize in honor of the Black Panther star and delivered a heartfelt speech about her late husband, calling him the "most honest person" she'd ever met, and someone who "made a practice of telling the truth."
"He actively searched for it, in himself, those around him, and the moment," she said. "The truth can be a very easy thing for the self to avoid. But if one does not live in truth, then it's impossible to live life."
She continued, "So it became how he lived his life, day in and day out. Imperfect but determined. He was blessed to live many lives within his concentrated one. He developed his understanding of what it meant to be the one, the none, and the all. 'A vessel to be poured into and out of,' he'd said."
Chadwick Boseman’s wife, Taylor Simone Leward, accepts his Actor’s Tribute award for #MaRaineyFilm at the #GothamAwards: “Chad, thank you. I love you. I am so proud of you. Keep shining your light on us" ♥️ pic.twitter.com/kbcopHcEJz
— Dionne Grant (@DionneGrant) January 12, 2021
Ledward also explained how the late actor used this way of life in his work. "He harnessed the power of letting go, and letting God's love shine through. He realized that when one is able to recognize that when their strength does not come from themself, they rarely mess up. That's what he was doing when he was acting. Modeling for us a path to true fulfillment."
Ledward got emotional toward the end of her speech, saying it was an "honor to receive this award on behalf of my husband," calling the award an "acknowledgment of not only his profound work but of his impact on this industry and this world."
She ended the speech in tears, thanking her late husband for his contributions. "Chad, thank you. I love you. I am so proud of you. Keep shining your light on us. Thank you."
At the awards, Boseman was also nominated for Best Actor for his final role in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom—which is now streaming on Netflix.
