Gabourey Sidibe Beats Out Stiff Competition To Win Outstanding Actress At NAACP Awards

Gabourey Sidibe is glowing.

The “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” actress picked up the Outstanding Actress In A Motion Picture trophy at the NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles on Friday night, beating out competition from Sandra Bullock (“The Blind Side”), Taraji P. Henson (“I Can Do Bad All By Myself”), Sophie Okonedo (“Skin”) and Anika Noni Rose (“The Princess and the Frog”).

“It is an honor to be nominated, but it is awesome to win. I love winning,” Gabourey told the crowd (including Sandra) who took to their feet after Chris Rock announced she was the winner.

And the actress said she wasn’t prepared to take home the award.

“I didn’t really expect this,” Gabourey said as she tried to hold back tears. “I want to thank my God for ordering my steps, for everything that my life was and everything that it is now.”

Gabourey went on to thank her family and her director, Lee Daniels.

“I walked into his office in jeans and sneakers and he saw a glamorous dress and heels, and he saw a star and I could never thank you enough, I can’t,” she said before taking a big breath to stifle the tears.

And the actress also saluted her “Precious” co-stars for helping refine her natural talent.

“I want to thank my teachers. My teachers happen to be Mo’Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah [Carey] and Sherri Shepherd — the people that I got the honor to work with and I thank you so, so much because I showed up not knowing what I was doing and I sat back and I watched you and thank you for teaching me,” she added. “Lastly, I want to thank the ‘Precious’ girls everywhere, this is for you.”

Gabourey wasn’t the only “Precious” winner. Mo’Nique too picked up an Outstanding Supporting Actress Award and the film netted the Outstanding Motion Picture trophy.

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