'I Understood Intimately What He Felt': Angela Bassett Held Austin Butler's Hand at the Oscars.

[{"selector":"#anim-67f7bec3-752e-469d-bf2f-7cf5af6948d3 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-9.395583487535376%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":9000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Austin Butler and Angela Bassett were both nominated for acting at the 95th Academy Awards in March.

[{"selector":"#anim-8e2f6d2d-d423-497d-984f-f1dc545dfb25 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(29.899999878033977%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

At a crucial juncture in Austin Butler's career, Angela Bassett supported him.

[{"selector":"#anim-9149abed-c4b0-4638-9faa-3646110b6360 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

As part of TIME's 100 Most Influential People of 2023 series, Bassett, 64, penned a piece about her friendship with Elvis star Butler,

[{"selector":"#anim-0273378f-a19a-401d-9e5c-73f0dfb786d1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(59.42697847738111%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

31, on Thursday. She noted that they clasped hands at the 95th Academy Awards when the Best Actor trophy was given out.

[{"selector":"#anim-4cc22675-38d4-4579-ab1b-8c294de90f56 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-62.35727181795657%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Bassett claimed she was "fortunate" to become Butler's friend and praised his "brilliantly nuanced performance" in Elvis.

[{"selector":"#anim-526d75e0-5021-4427-b12f-eae68eef9b39 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(19.843750266033286%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

She added that she and Butler first met during the recent awards season.

[{"selector":"#anim-6eb4a714-e6df-47a4-b119-14d00039c5a7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-29.899999878033977%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

"I understood intimately what he felt when it was time to learn if he would climb those stairs to the stage,

[{"selector":"#anim-0e33a26e-ba8f-4cd5-9ff1-8b220f33f717 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Bassett wrote in TIME as the couple sat together at the Oscars ceremony in March. I then gently held his hand as the victory was announced.

[{"selector":"#anim-14f571c2-572d-4bc4-8258-013c3dc1abb8 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.66805839140027%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

[{"selector":"#anim-0bb88937-87ae-4583-9cd3-6fd9b896d3c3 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Learn more

CHECK OUT TRENDING STORIES