The 2020 MTV VMAs paid tribute to “true hero” Chadwick Boseman, following the news of his death over the weekend.
The Black Panther star was just 43 years old when he lost his private battle with colon cancer, which was confirmed by his family in a heartbreaking post on Saturday.
Host of this years’ Video Music Awards Keke Palmer opened the show with a touching monologue about the actor, describing him as a star “whose talent and passion is a true inspiration to all the fans he touched and everyone he encountered.”
RIP Chadwick Boseman.
Tonight's #VMAs is dedicated to him.
— Video Music Awards (@vmas) August 31, 2020
Keke Palmer honors Chadwick Boseman at the #VMAs “We dedicate tonight’s show to the man whose spirit touched so many. He is a true hero, not just on screen but in everything he did. His impact lives forever.” pic.twitter.com/Gs3IZYXa2c
— Alyssa Bailey (@alyssabailey) August 31, 2020
“We dedicate tonight’s show to a man whose spirit touched so many,” she continued.
“He is a true hero, not just onscreen, but in everything he did. His impact lives forever.”
Chadwick’s family confirmed his passing in a heartbreaking socal media post on Satutday, writing: “It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman.”
“Chadwick was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, and battled with it these last 4 years as it progressed to stage IV.”
“A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much. From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and several more, all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy.
“It was the honor of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther. He died in his home, with his wife and family by his side.
“The family thanks you for your love and prayers, and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time.”
Chadwick rose to fame following his roles of Jackie Robinson in 42 (2013) and James Brown in Get On Up (2014), before joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe as T’Challa.
In a 2018 interview with Entertainment Weekly, the actor was overcome with emotion as he discussed Black Panther’s impact on two young fans – who were fighting terminal cancer and passed away before the film’s release.
“Throughout our filming, I was communicating with them, knowing they were both terminal,” he said at the time.
“What they and their parents said to me was, they were trying to hold on till this movie comes. To a certain degree it’s a humbling experience because you’re like, this can’t mean that much to them. But seeing how the world has taken this on, I realise they anticipated something great.”
“Thinking back now to when I was a kid, waiting for Christmas to come, waiting for my birthday to come, waiting for a toy I was gonna get a chance to experience, or a video game, I did live life waiting for those moments.
“It put me back in the mind of being a kid and feeling those two boys’ anticipation of this movie…. It means a lot.”
