GABOUREY SIDIBE WINS NAACP AWARD

Oscar contender Precious was the big winner at the 41st NAACP Image Awards on Friday (26Feb10), with the film's star Gabourey Sidibe landing an Outstanding Actress accolade.

The spotlight was on Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire as Mo'Nique picked up the Outstanding Supporting Actress honour, moviemaker Lee Daniels was named Outstanding Director and Geoffrey Fletcher took home the Outstanding Writing trophy.

The film was also named Outstanding Motion Picture of the year at the Los Angeles ceremony.

Newcomer Sidibe thanked her co-stars as she stepped onstage to collect her prize, calling Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Sherri Shepherd and Mariah Carey her "teachers".

She told the audience, "It is an honour to be nominated, but it is so awesome to win. I love winning!"

Elsewhere, Morgan Freeman was named Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for his portrayal of Nelson Mandela in Invictus, and he acknowledged production partner Clint Eastwood in his acceptance speech.

Filmmaker Tyler Perry was handed the annual Chairman's Award in recognition of his humanitarian efforts, while his sitcom Tyler Perry's House of Payne won Outstanding Comedy Series for the third consecutive year.

Maxwell and Mary J. Blige were named Outstanding Male and Female Artist, while Keri Hilson was the recipient of the Outstanding New Artist trophy.

Wyclef Jean's tireless fundraising efforts for earthquake-stricken Haiti also earned him a top honour, the Vanguard Award, from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.