The MTV 2020 Video Music Awards were this year dedicated to Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman, whose untimely death at the age of 43 on Friday, August 28 shocked the entertainment industry and his legions of fans across the world.
According to his publicist Nicki Fioravante, Boseman had been privately battling colon cancer for four years, he passed away at his Los Angeles home surrounded by his wife and family.
At the awards ceremony host Keke Palmer, in his tribute to Boseman, said: "Before we get into the music tonight, we need to talk about the devastating loss of Chadwick Boseman, an actor whose talent and passion 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. He is a true hero. Not just on-screen but in everything he did. His impact lives forever."
A video clip was also played which included Boseman’s incredibly powerful speech delivered at the 2018 MTV Movie and TV Awards.
Boseman’s T'Challa character was introduced to the Marvel movies in 2016's Captain America: Civil War, and his Wakanda Forever salute became globally recognised after the release of Black Panther two years ago. He was diagnosed in 2016 with stage 3 colon cancer and despite this, a post on Twitter by his family confirmed that Boseman had continued to work in-between “chemotherapy and countless surgeries”.
Black Panther - the first major studio superhero movie featuring a predominantly African-American cast - was the first superhero film to get an Oscar nomination for best picture.
May you rest in peace Chadwick Boseman.
