Erykah, Babyface,Vanessa Lead Image Awards

02/18/1998 3:00 AM, Yahoo! Music
Bruce Haring

(2/18/98) - Proving once again that no one forgives more than the American public, singer Vanessa Williams--a one-time Penthouse model and dethroned Miss America, was named Outstanding Actress as the NAACP Image Awards.

Williams's victory was one of five awards won by Soul Food. Co-stars Irma P. Hall and Brandon Hammond were named Outstanding Supporting Actress and Outstanding Youth Actor, respectively, for their roles in the film, a drama about love and home cooking which tells the story of a black Chicago family struggling with the loss of its matriarch.

The movie's soundtrack was named Outstanding Album during the 29th annual awards ceremony on Saturday night. Other winners:

Best New Recording Artist: Erykah Badu
Best Male Recording Artist: Babyface
Best Female Recording Artist: Erykah Badu
Best Duo Or Group: Boyz II Men
Best Rap Artist: Will Smith
Best Jazz Artist: Kenny G
Best Gospel Artist: God's Property from Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation
Best Music Video: God's Property, "Stomp"
Best Song: Boyz II Men, "A Song for Mama"