Keke Palmer Dedicated the VMAs to Chadwick Boseman in an Emotional Speech

Keke Palmer paid tribute to Chadwick Boseman during the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, honoring him by dedicating the show to his legacy. Boseman died just two days prior to the award show at the age of 43, after a private four-year battle with colon cancer.

Kicking off the outdoor show that was hosted primarily in New York City, Palmer said, “Before we get into the music tonight, we need to dedicate the time to talk about the devastating loss of Chadwick Boseman, an actor whose talent is a true inspiration to all the fans he touched and everyone he encountered.”

We dedicate tonight’s show to a man whose spirit touched so many, Palmer said, He is a true hero, not just onscreen but in everything he did. His impact lives forever.”

The VMAs confirmed that the entire show would be dedicated to him in a tweet.

Since the Black Panther star’s death was announced by his family via Twitter on Friday, an outpouring of love and support has come about from both celebrities and fans. The tweet, which now has 5.8 million likes and counting, is the most-liked tweet of all time, further proving his impact.

Boseman was undoubtedly a hero both on-screen and off, and in her opening remarks, Palmer chose to highlight additional heroes who have gone “above and beyond” throughout 2020. She praised the people who have been on the frontlines of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the Black Lives Matter Movement saying, “We must continue the fight to end systemic racism. The leaders of that movement are you, us, the people watching tonight.” Palmer’s own video of her protesting in Los Angeles went viral.

Boseman was also honored at the 2020 MTV VMAs with a video tribute that remembered his 2018 acceptance speech for the Best Hero moon man for his role as T’Challa in Black Panther.

Fittingly, the tribute video opened with the words, “The World Needs More Superheroes.” “Rest in power,” MTV wrote in the tweet about Boseman, and we echo the sentiment.