Angela Bassett’s Beloved Twins: Bronwyn and Slater Vance, Her Greatest Inspirations Amidst Hollywood Success
Celebrating a truly remarkable career, Academy Award-nominated actress Angela Bassett stands as one of Hollywood’s most revered figures. Fresh off her Golden Globe win and an Oscar nomination for her powerful performance as Queen Ramonda in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Bassett’s professional life continues to reach new heights. Yet, at the heart of her incredible journey is her cherished family, particularly her teenage twins, Bronwyn and Slater Vance. Born via surrogate in 2006 to Angela and her husband, acclaimed actor Courtney B. Vance, the twins are a constant source of joy and inspiration, grounding the star amidst the glittering world of fame. This article delves into the beautiful bond Angela shares with her children, their burgeoning interests, and how they celebrate her monumental achievements.
Quick Facts About Angela Bassett’s Family:
- Angela Bassett has been happily married to fellow actor Courtney B. Vance since 1997, forming one of Hollywood’s most enduring partnerships.
- The power couple are proud parents to fraternal twins: a son, Slater Josiah Vance, and a daughter, Bronwyn Golden Vance.
- Their children were welcomed into the world in January 2006, after Angela and Courtney embarked on a surrogacy journey.
- Angela Bassett, a formidable star in the ‘Black Panther’ film series, held a special, motherly affection for her late co-star Chadwick Boseman.
- Following her triumphant Golden Globe win, Angela joyfully shared that she celebrated the momentous occasion at home, surrounded by her two excited children.
Few actresses possess a career as illustrious and impactful as that of Angela Bassett, now 65 years old. For decades, she has commanded the screen, captivating audiences with her profound talent and versatility. From her iconic portrayal of rock legend Tina Turner in the biopic What’s Love Got To Do With It to her regal presence as Queen Ramonda in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Black Panther saga, Bassett has consistently delivered unforgettable performances. Throughout much of her extensive career, she has shared her life with stage and screen actor Courtney B. Vance, 63, whom she married in a beautiful ceremony in 1997. After a long and emotional journey, the couple welcomed their fraternal twins, son Slater Josiah Vance and daughter Bronwyn Golden Vance, via a surrogate in January 2006. Angela recently reprised her critically acclaimed role as Queen Ramonda in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, a film that, while successful, carried a profound sense of loss following the tragic passing of its beloved star, Chadwick Boseman, due to colon cancer.
Her powerful and nuanced performance in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever garnered Angela the coveted Best Supporting Actress award at the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards, marking a historic win for Marvel Studios. This triumph has since fueled considerable buzz and anticipation for the 2023 Academy Awards, where she is also nominated in the same category, making her a strong contender. Angela candidly shared her post-win celebration with her children in an interview with People in January 2023. “I went home and hugged my kids,” she recounted, emphasizing the warmth and genuine excitement her family shared. “They were really excited for mom to bring home a statue,” she added, illustrating the profound pride and joy her children take in her accomplishments. This intimate detail highlights the importance of family as her anchor amidst the whirlwind of Hollywood success.
While her own children are her universe, Angela clearly harbored deep maternal affection for the late Chadwick Boseman, her on-screen son in the Black Panther films. Angela openly expressed her heartfelt sentiments, articulating how moved she was to see him posthumously nominated for a Golden Globe, during a February 2021 interview with Entertainment Tonight. “I know my heart, my son, Chadwick is up for an award, so I’m looking forward to seeing his face pop up on the screen there,” she said with evident emotion. Her words underscored the profound bond they shared, both professionally and personally. “We miss him terribly, but he was an individual and the work he did is worthy of remembering,” she concluded, paying a beautiful tribute to his enduring legacy. This connection further exemplifies Angela’s deep capacity for love and nurturing, extending beyond her immediate family.
Angela’s pivotal role within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, particularly as Queen Ramonda, is undeniably one that deeply resonates with her children, sparking immense excitement and pride within the Vance household. Recalling the premiere of the original Black Panther film, Courtney B. Vance articulated the profound significance of bringing their kids to such an event in an interview with ET. “This is a record-breaking, amazing event that we all should cherish. It’s time for us to see that we can make a megahit. We can make a $100 million movie by just showing up,” he passionately explained, highlighting the cultural and cinematic importance of the film for their community and children. Both Bronwyn and Slater proudly accompanied their mother to the premiere of Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever as well, demonstrating their unwavering support. Slater, ever the social media enthusiast, even shared several memorable snapshots on his Instagram, featuring himself and his sister alongside a host of celebrities, including musical icons Rihanna and Janelle Monáe, underscoring the star-studded experience and the unique opportunities their parents’ careers afford them.
Following the groundbreaking success of the first Black Panther film, and its subsequent critical acclaim leading to multiple Oscar nominations, Angela shared how these achievements fostered an immense sense of pride in her twins. She told ET that her children genuinely “think it’s pretty cool,” and she observed “a little pride in their step.” For Angela, these moments are incredibly rewarding. “As a mom [or] dad, you need all the points you can get from wherever,” she remarked, acknowledging the joy of seeing her children take pride in her work and the meaningful impact it has on them. This sentiment perfectly encapsulates the balance she strikes between her high-profile career and her dedication to nurturing a loving, supportive family environment, where her children feel connected to her achievements.
Throughout her distinguished career, many of Angela Bassett’s most memorable onscreen roles have showcased her profound ability to embody strong, maternal figures. From playing the formidable mother of rapper Notorious B.I.G., Violetta Wallace, in the film Notorious, to her regal portrayal of Queen Ramonda, Angela consistently brings a depth of maternal instinct to her characters. Off-screen, she has been equally transparent about the core values she strives to instill in her 17-year-old twins. Angela is, without a doubt, a deeply devoted and doting mother, frequently expressing her adoration and pride for Bronwyn and Slater. “It is a joy seeing them growing so beautifully, you know, so bright, so smart, so compassionately, and you just want them to be aware, you know?” she shared with Closer Weekly in 2019. She emphasizes the importance of awareness, intelligence, and kindness, shaping her children into thoughtful and well-rounded individuals ready to navigate the world with integrity and empathy.
The esteemed Black Panther star has openly stated that while she’s uncertain if her children will ultimately choose to follow in her and her husband’s illustrious acting footsteps, her commitment to supporting their aspirations remains unwavering, regardless of the path they forge. “They want to follow the success, but whether it be acting, I don’t get any clues to that right now,” she candidly expressed in the aforementioned People interview. She observes a diverse range of interests emerging in her children, noting, “It’s a little music, a little sports.” This open-minded approach highlights her philosophy of allowing her children the freedom to explore their passions without pressure. “But whatever they want to do, I support them,” she affirmed, demonstrating her steadfast dedication to fostering their individual talents and dreams, ensuring they know they have her full encouragement in all their endeavors.
Angela has frequently spoken about the incredibly strong and positive relationship she shares with her children. She also revealed a pragmatic and grounded approach to their upbringing, sharing in a 2019 interview with Jimmy Kimmel that Bronwyn and Slater attend public school. “They are in public school. I went to public school, turned out okay by me,” she explained, highlighting her belief in a conventional educational environment despite her own high-profile career. This decision reflects her desire for her children to have a relatable and normal upbringing, fostering resilience and a broad understanding of the world. Her anecdotes consistently paint a picture of a close-knit family, where genuine connection and shared experiences take precedence over the allure of celebrity. Let’s learn more about Angela’s remarkable twins and their unique personalities!
Bronwyn Golden Vance
Bronwyn Golden Vance, the daughter of Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance, is growing into a remarkable young woman, frequently showcasing a captivating blend of her parents’ grace and intelligence. While often seen at her mother’s side during red carpet events, Bronwyn maintains a relatively private life compared to her brother, yet glimpses into her personality reveal a thoughtful and observant individual. Her close bond with her mother is often highlighted through Angela’s social media posts and interviews.
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Angela’s bond with her daughter, Bronwyn, appears particularly close and heartwarming. The actress often shares endearing glimpses into their relationship, such as an adorable mother-daughter photo she posted in January 2020. In the image, Angela looked stylish in a maroon tracksuit with vibrant orange trim, while her daughter radiated youthful charm in turquoise leggings and a cozy white sweater. “On a stretch of unspoiled California coastline with my beautiful daughter,” Angela lovingly captioned the post, capturing a serene moment of connection and shared natural beauty. This image, along with others, beautifully illustrates the strong and affectionate relationship between the two.
Beyond these sweet shared moments, Angela has offered insights into Bronwyn’s personality and how her daughter often mirrors her actions, particularly when she was younger. In a 2019 interview with Vulture, Angela affectionately described Bronwyn as her “little copycat.” She recalled, “My daughter, from the time she was a little one, was always sort of looking to me for the example of what to do and how to be.” This observational trait extended to how Bronwyn interacted with her twin brother, Slater. “If I told her brother something like, ‘Slater, put that down. Slater, don’t stand on that. Slater—’ she would be my little copy. If he would do something, she would say, ‘Slater, put that down! Slater don’t stand on that!’ She was my little copycat,” Angela charmingly shared. These anecdotes paint a picture of Bronwyn as an attentive, intelligent, and perceptive child, qualities that undoubtedly continue to shape her as she matures.
Slater Josiah Vance
Slater Josiah Vance, the son of Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance, is carving out his own unique identity, demonstrating a keen interest in music and a budding career as a recording artist. Beyond being the son of two celebrated actors, Slater is actively pursuing his passion, showing both talent and dedication to his craft. He often shares updates on his musical journey and personal life through his social media, offering fans a glimpse into his creative world.
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Angela has frequently highlighted the strong musical inclinations of both her children, with her son, Slater, notably showing strong aspirations toward a career as a musician. In May 2019, she proudly shared a photo on her Instagram account featuring Slater alongside the popular rapper Logic. Angela revealed that the Bobby Tarantino artist deeply influenced Slater, inspiring him to create music that promotes “Peace, love and positivity.” She further elaborated on Slater’s admiration for Logic during a 2019 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! “He says he’s the best rapper living or dead,” she amusingly recounted, adding, “Strong opinions.” This anecdote underscores Slater’s passion and conviction for his musical heroes and his chosen path.
Embracing his musical ambitions, Slater has indeed begun to release his own original music, showcasing his talent and dedication to his craft. He frequently utilizes his Instagram platform to promote his latest tunes and engage with his growing audience. His debut album, aptly titled Journey 2 Forever, was released in October 2021, marking a significant milestone in his nascent career. He followed this up with an EP titled Holehearted in 2022, further solidifying his presence in the music scene. These releases indicate a serious commitment to his artistry, suggesting that Slater is not merely dabbling in music but actively pursuing it as a professional endeavor, proudly following his own rhythm.
While Slater is still young and actively navigating his path as an emerging artist, he did face some public scrutiny and backlash for a prank he orchestrated on his mom in December 2022. As part of a viral TikTok trend where children falsely informed their parents that various celebrities had passed away, Slater told Angela that her Black Panther co-star, Michael B. Jordan, had died. Angela’s reaction, captured in the video, was understandably one of genuine distress and sadness, highlighting the emotional impact such a prank could have. Following the incident, Slater reportedly shared an apology video, as reported by Business Insider, though it has since been removed. In his apology, he expressed remorse and insight: “I own this mistake and hope this can be a teaching lesson to anyone who uses social media as a tool and a source of entertainment to truly understand that their actions can have consequences that extend beyond you.” This moment, though controversial, offered a poignant lesson in digital responsibility and empathy for the young artist.
It is abundantly clear that both of Angela Bassett’s children possess a rich and inherent musicality, a trait she wholeheartedly encourages and nurtures. She spoke fondly of how much her kids enjoyed her role in the critically acclaimed jazz-inspired Disney-Pixar movie Soul, sharing her insights on the red carpet for the 2021 Golden Globes, according to People. “They loved it. They both play the piano and rap and play guitar, so they have a little musical interest that I drill into them, that I insist upon,” she revealed, highlighting her active role in fostering their talents. She emphasized that Bronwyn and Slater genuinely “got a lot of the themes, a lot of the ideas from it and really appreciated it,” indicating their deep understanding and connection to the film’s artistic and thematic elements. This dedication to encouraging their creative pursuits illustrates Angela’s belief in allowing her children to explore their passions fully, ensuring they grow into well-rounded individuals with a strong appreciation for the arts, just like their parents.
Angela Bassett’s journey through Hollywood is a testament to her enduring talent, grace, and resilience. Yet, it is her role as a mother to Bronwyn and Slater Vance that provides her deepest fulfillment and an unwavering foundation. From celebrating her Golden Globe win with heartfelt hugs at home to proudly watching her son launch his music career and her daughter blossom, Angela exemplifies a balanced life where career milestones are celebrated alongside profound family bonds. Her dedication to instilling strong values, supporting their individual dreams, and fostering an environment of love ensures that her children, like their mother, are poised for greatness in their own unique ways. As Angela continues to inspire audiences worldwide, her twins remain her most precious and impactful legacy.