By India Espy-Jones Essence https://www.essence.com/
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The 2026 Black Women in Hollywood awards show will be available to stream at 10:30 a.m. PT: Watch Here.
Today, ESSENCE’s Black Women in Hollywood ceremony—hosted by Marsai Martin at Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles—will see the beauty and style looks of stars who are owning the moment in entertainment. For some, it’ll be their first time on the carpet, while others have been rocking with us since the beginning.
Think back to 2008. It was the very first Black Women in Hollywood luncheon and this year’s honoree Kerry Washington was in attendance, of course. She wore a silky bob with a sequined dress to match. In 2010, the late Cicely Tyson—who won the Legend Award—arrived in pink blush and a headdress full of leaves and flowers to bring out the tropical print in her dress. While 2010 and 2011 was all about sculpted pixie cuts (as seen on Jill Scott and Ann Nesby), by 2014, Chaka Khan, Oprah, and Tracee Ellis Ross proved shoulder-lengths and extra volume were in style.
In 2019, Kelly Rowland paired her structured hot pink dress with a pale pink lip. Followed by Zendaya’s viral Jean Paul Gaultier couture moment: a metal choker, corset, and bob in 2024. Then, on the most recent red carpet, it was Tyla, in a little sequined dress and braided pixie, that had our heads turning.
In honor of ESSENCE’s 19th annual Black Women in Hollywood ceremony today, take a look back at the best red carpet moments from over the years.
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 21: Ruby Dee and Kerry Washington pose at the First Annual Essence Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon, at the Beverly Hills Hotel on February 21, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Essence)
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 21: Gabrielle Union poses at the First Annual Essence Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon, at the Beverly Hills Hotel on February 21, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Essence)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 21: Taraji Henson arrives at the ”Essence Black Women In Hollywood” luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel on February 21, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 21: Niecy Nash arrives at the ”Essence Black Women In Hollywood” luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel on February 21, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images)
February 19, 2009 Beverly Hills, Ca.; Tracee Ellis Ross; Essence Magazine Celebrates Black Women In Hollywood With 2nd Annual Awards Luncheon; Held at the Beverly Hills Hotel (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic)
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 19: Oprah Winfrey attends the 8th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon on February 19, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Amy Graves/WireImage)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 27: Actress Lupita Nyong’o attends the 7th annual ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood luncheon at Beverly Hills Hotel on February 27, 2014 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – MARCH 4: Cicely Tyson attends 3rd Annual Essence Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon at Beverly Hills Hotel on March 4, 2010 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by ANDREAS BRANCH/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 21: Kelly Rowland arrives at the 2019 Essence Black Women In Hollywood Awards at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 21, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris/FilmMagic)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 09: Karrueche Tran attends the 2023 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 09, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 09: Ruth Carter attends the Essence 16th Annual Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 09, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Unique Nicole/WireImage)
June Ambrose at Essence Black Women in Hollywood held at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 7, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Marsai Martin attends the ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Unique Nicole/FilmMagic)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: Zendaya attends the ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Unique Nicole/FilmMagic)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 27: (L-R) Niecy Nash and Honoree Teyana Taylor pose backstage during attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 27: Tyra Banks attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 27: Tyla attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Aliah Anderson/WireImage)
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA – FEBRUARY 06: Solange Knowles attends the 4th annual ESSENCE Black Women In Music event at Greystone Manor Supperclub on February 6, 2013 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 07: (L-R) Chloe Bailey and Halle Bailey attend the ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by JC Olivera/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images)
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