Bukky Bakray won the Rising Star Award at the BAFTA 2021 Film Awards on Sunday evening.
The Rocks actress, 19, appeared overwhelmed and said she had ‘never felt like this before’ as she accepted the award via Zoom while her family screamed and cheered in the background.
In her acceptance speech Bukky paid tribute to the US rapper and actor DMX who died at the age of 50 on Saturday, five days after suffering a heart attack, saying: ‘I want to say sleep well to DMX’.
Success: Bukky Bakray won the Rising Star Award at the BAFTA 2021 Film Awards on Sunday evening
James McAvoy, the first ever winner of the award in 2006 presented this year’s accolade to Bukky virtually from the Royal Albert Hall in London.
The 2021 nominees for the category were Kingsley Ben-Adir, Morfydd Clark, Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù and Conrad Khan.
Clearly in shock, Bukky said in her acceptance speech: ‘I’m hyped I’m slightly jaded, I don’t know how to feel, I don’t know how to feel I really don’t.
‘When we filmed Rocks I didn’t think, I thought 100 people would watch the film max.
Achievement: The Rocks actress, 19, appeared overwhelmed and she had ‘never felt like this before’ as she accepted the award via Zoom as her family screamed and cheered in the background
‘The opportunities are endless, I don’t know how to articulate the feelings I’ve never felt like this before.
‘All the nominees from previous years and people who have gone on to win it they’ve all had astonishing careers that I’ve looked up to. All of these people have had outstanding careers and I just feel blessed to be nominated.
‘I’m going to pop some champagne, we’re gonna scream we’re gonna shout we’re gonna be wild, because I didn’t expect this.
Star: Bukky played Shola ‘Rocks’ Omotoso in the film Rocks which tells the story of a young teenage girl who finds herself struggling to take care of herself and her younger brother after being abandoned by their single mother
Emotional: Clearly in shock, she said in her acceptance speech: ‘I’m hyped I’m slightly jaded, I don’t know how to feel, I don’t know how to feel I really don’t’
‘I’ve got people I really love in this room with me so I feel blessed to share this experience with them.
‘Right now I’m working on a series called You Don’t Know Me. That’s going to be on Netflix. I’ve got so many amazing projects lined up with amazing creators and artists that I’m really looking forward to.’
Bukky, from Hackney in London, played Shola Omotoso in the film Rocks which tells the story of a young teenage girl who finds herself struggling to take care of herself and her younger brother after being abandoned by their single mother.
Incredible: Bukky was overwhelmed as she clasped her hand over her mouth when her name was called as the winner
Icon: James McAvoy, the first ever winner of the award in 2006 presented this year’s accolade to Bukky virtually from the Royal Albert Hall in London
Performance: From left, D’angelou Osei Kissiedu, Kosar Ali and Bukky Bakray in a scene from Rocks
Previous winners of the Rising Star award include Micheal Ward, Letitia Wright, Tom Holland, John Boyega, Jack O’Connell, Will Poulter, Tom Hardy, Kristen Stewart, and Eva Green.
2021 marks the 16th year of the EE Rising Star Award – the only award voted for by the public.
In a statement Bukky said of the award: ‘Thank you so much bafta and EE, I appreciate this so much. The Highlight of this awards journey has been recognition in a category with my fellow nominees, I can’t describe how humbling and what a blessing it is to be put on the same boat as those talented human beings.
‘I’ve got a special appreciation for the rocks family as well. Thank you for seeing something in me that I never saw in myself. Thank you EE for continuing to spotlight now and emerging talent.’
Talent: In a statement Bukky said of the award: ‘Thank you so much bafta and EE, I appreciate this so much’
The BAFTA and EE British Academy Film Awards 2021 is the first of the Academy’s film ceremonies to be held virtually.
The TV version of the awards show took place online during summer 2020, but last year’s film ceremony managed to go ahead a month before the Covid pandemic forced the UK into lockdown.
With the pandemic still raging, another change will take place this year: the BAFTAs will happen in two parts.
Sad: In her acceptance speech Bukky paid tribute to the US rapper and actor DMX who died at the age of 50 on Saturday, five days after suffering a heart attack
Both shows, recognising the very best in film of the past year, will be broadcast virtually from London’s Royal Albert Hall.
The first show celebrates the craft of film while the second main show will feature the mainstream awards.
Show one was hosted by Clara Amfo on Saturday night and saw eight of the 17 gongs awarded.
Show two is fronted by Dermot O’Leary and Edith Bowman from London’s Royal Albert Hall where the acting prizes will be given out. No audience will be present.
Proud: Bukky said in her acceptance speech that she would be popping some champagne because of the win