Bucci Franklin took home the Best Supporting Actor award at the 12th Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards for his role as Oboz in the Netflix series To Kill A Monkey. The win came in one of the most contested categories of the night, with Franklin's performance praised for its layered portrayal of power and fragility. Days before the series premiered, Franklin lost a close family member, a detail he revealed in an emotional acceptance speech that left the audience silent. "Seven days… seven days before To Kill A Monkey came out, I lost the most important person in my life," he said, voice trembling at the microphone. The moment marked a rare blend of personal grief and professional triumph, unfolding live on stage.
Before the ceremony, Franklin made a strong impression at the AMVCA 12 Cultural Night in a custom wine velvet robe by designer Amy Aghomi. The piece featured gold monkey appliqués, a direct reference to the show, and was accented with coral beads that tied the look to his cultural roots. Fans and fashion watchers noted the intentionality of the design, which served as both tribute and storytelling. His performance in To Kill A Monkey has been described as one of the standout elements of the series, with critics highlighting his commanding screen presence. The show, now streaming on Netflix, continues to draw attention for its bold narrative and strong character work.
Bucci Franklin dedicated his Best Supporting Actor win to a loved one he lost just seven days before To Kill A Monkey premiered, revealing the grief behind his performance only after accepting the award. The delay in sharing this pain suggests the award was not just recognition of acting skill, but a public moment of mourning masked as celebration. If the role demanded vulnerability, Franklin lived it off-screen long before viewers saw him on screen.
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