The 2026 award season has been nothing if not unpredictable, but host Deon Cole took things to a spiritual and highly satirical level during the 57th NAACP Image Awards. Returning to the Pasadena Civic Auditorium to host for the second year in a row, the 54-year-old comedian used his opening monologue to deliver a mock altar call for several celebrities, but it was his specific prayer for Nicki Minaj that sent the audience into a frenzy of laughter and disbelief.