The gorgeous ones made their way to the 2014 Essence Black Women In Hollywood luncheon this afternoon at the Beverly Hilton. Get your fill of fabness with honoree Lupita Nyong’o, Kerry Washington, Brandy, and lots more…
Lupita is snatching awards and taking names as we get even closer to Oscar night. Today in Beverly Hills, the 12 Years A Slave actress rocked a white embroidered crop top and pencil skirt by Giambattista Valli with matching white pumps by Sophia Webster. And she was honored with the Breakthrough Performance of the Year award at the Essence Black Women In Hollywood luncheon.
She was absolutely smitten with her award, and had the whole room teary eyed with her acceptance speech. Here’s an excerpt:
I remember a time when I too felt unbeautiful. I put on the TV and only saw pale skin, I got teased and taunted about my night-shaded skin. And my one prayer to God, the miracle worker, was that I would wake up lighter-skinned. The morning would come and I would be so excited about seeing my new skin that I would refuse to look down at myself until I was in front of a mirror because I wanted to see my fair face first. And every day I experienced the same disappointment of being just as dark as I was the day before. I tried to negotiate with God, I told him I would stop stealing sugar cubes at night if he gave me what I wanted, I would listen to my mother’s every word and never lose my school sweater again if he just made me a little lighter. But I guess God was unimpressed with my bargaining chips because He never listened.
And when I was a teenager my self-hate grew worse, as you can imagine happens with adolescence. My mother reminded me often that she thought that I was beautiful but that was no conservation, she’s my mother, of course she’s supposed to think I am beautiful. And then…Alek Wek. A celebrated model, she was dark as night, she was on all of the runways and in every magazine and everyone was talking about how beautiful she was. Even Oprah called her beautiful and that made it a fact. I couldn’t believe that people were embracing a woman who looked so much like me, as beautiful. My complexion had always been an obstacle to overcome and all of a sudden Oprah was telling me it wasn’t. It was perplexing and I wanted to reject it because I had begun to enjoy the seduction of inadequacy. But a flower couldn’t help but bloom inside of me, when I saw Alek I inadvertently saw a reflection of myself that I could not deny. Now, I had a spring in my step because I felt more seen, more appreciated by the far away gatekeepers of beauty. But around me the preference for my skin prevailed, to the courters that I thought mattered I was still unbeautiful. And my mother again would say to me you can’t eat beauty, it doesn’t feed you and these words plagued and bothered me; I didn’t really understand them until finally I realized that beauty was not a thing that I could acquire or consume, it was something that I just had to be.
And we’re so here for this dainty gold head piece. Perfect. Chick knows how to accessorize her ‘do.
Mom-To-Be Kerry Washington rocked a simple flowing blue Calvin Klein dress and black Jimmy Choo pumps…and she’s definitely glowing:
Pretty!
Brandy came through in a chic red pants suit by Elena Reva with matching red suede ankle strap Louboutins. And it was the perfect ‘ladies who lunch’ look for the occasion.
Angela Bassett and Chaka Khan had some fun on the carpet.
“ET” correspondent Rocsi Diaz kept it cute and colorful on the carpet in a Mary Katrantzou dress and shoes by Christian Louboutin. And she was in good company with Oprah, Gayle and Sydney Poitier.
Tika Sumpter kept it chic in this baroque printed cap-sleeved cocktail dress from Bibhu Mohapatra’s Resort 2014 Collection. And the “Haves & Have Nots” star paired her look with Saint Laurent sandals, her LK Bennett clutch and Paolobongia rings.
And Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs received the Trailblazer Award.
Tracee Ellis Ross, in an HONOR NYC suit, posed it up with Iyanla Vanzant as she got her life fixed.
Naomie Harris looked chic in white with lace and sheer paneling.
Both Sharon Leal and Tasha Smith looked gorge.
Garcelle Beauvais rocked the perfect color for her skin and accessorized with multi-colored sandals. Loving this hair cut.
Nicole Beharie, star of “Sleepy Hollow”, looked cute in a matchy crop top and pencil skirt.
“Orange Is The New Black” star Samira Wiley made a bright appearance in a matchy yellow crop top and skirt combo.
Salli Richardson-Whitfield kept it elegant in her floral look.
Ava DuVernay and Common posed with Laysha Ward, president of Community Relations and the Target Foundation, as Target was a sponsor of the Luncheon.
“Fashion Queens” host Bevy Smith played correspondent for sponsor Lincoln as they showed off their new MKC. She mixed it up with Sharon Leal and Holly Robinson Peete.
Regina King went a little church-y on us in this white floral satin ensemble…and round toe heels.
Tatyana Ali made a bright entrance with a white wide leg pant and yellow halter jumpsuit by Hidden Gems boutique, Ron Donovan shoes and Erica Courtney diamonds. Great look for her.
“The Real” host Tamera Mowry , in a Victoria Beckham dress, showed off her slender post baby curves she’s been working so hard on lately. And also decided to go with a long wig for the carpet instead of her short new natural cut. She paired her look with an Aldo clutch and Louboutin platform sandals.
And Precious star Xosha Roquemore looked pretty in teal Oliver Tolentino Couture.
Tracey Edmunds rocked a simple black & white flirty dress.
Yvette Nicole Brown covered up in a black blouse and floral skirt.
About Last Night star Joy Bryant rocked a sparkling dress and a leather jacket.
Spike Lee brought his wife Tonya along.
Best Man Holiday star Melissa DeSousa kept it colorful in her dress for the occasion.
Niecy Nash is looking great lately!
Heeey Michael Ealy.
And Laila Ali looked feminine and cute in her floral pencil skirt.
Photos: Getty/WENN/Brandy’s IG/Tracee’s IG/Lupita’s IG/ Zsanae Davis / RedCarpetImages.net./ Picture Group, Lincoln/Strong Arm Media
The era of teen geniuses and teentrepreneurs is here. Following their electrifying performance at the Signature Series Funhouse concert curated by Battlebear, the Dowe Twins are on the road to superstardom. While most 15-year-olds are focused on school and have little understanding of the world, these exceptional siblings have become the first-ever brother/sister rap collaboration. Bringing a unique twist to the Hip-Hop scene, the twins are making waves.
Emerging from the challenges of the pandemic, the Dowe Twins are taking a stand for what is right. Their debut single, “Gonna Love Us,” boldly addresses gun violence and advocates for safer parks and areas for children. In the wake of Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary, Hip Hop Blvd recognized the twins as the future of the genre, praising their authenticity and ambition to set new standards.
Beyond their impact on the Hip-Hop industry, the Dowe Twins are also pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams with a Cuban link jewelry collection. At such a young age, they are truly embodying the spirit of innovation and excellence.
Their latest single Dance Dance Dance goes a different direction from their debut EP Perfectly Imperfect. While the EP brings the essence of both RNB and Hip Hop into a neat 5 song project Dance Dance Dance takes us to the present of Hip Hop in drill. The track show the versatility in their cadence and their presence. Even we were turnt up in the Rawrrzone listening to them.
YOUTH SOUL LOVE releases his new album “SOULMATE”. I selected the title SOULMATE because I feel like it was something that represents my name & artistry YOUTH SOUL LOVE, It connects with my Young & mature audience bringing them back to the main objective and focus on planet earth which i believe LOVE. where I’m at as an Artist and the times were in. I feel like people are not speaking about love or singing about what comes along with love and I wanted to express my feelings a little bit less in Rap to actually deliver my stories in R&B, electronic and dance form. showcasing my ability to be diverse,You’re going to catch some Rap. You will catch some country, but I feel like this Iconic R&B sound is something soulful that the listeners could gravitate to, all the time when trying to find that special person who is their soulmate. I also went with the title because I feel like “Soulmate” was an amazing addition to my discography. I love everything around the name SOUL, whether it’s “SOUL NOT FOR SALE” or “SOULMATE”. My listeners know that they’re still in my book of discography and soulmate is just another chapter for the listeners and the lovers to connect with me. The genre borrowed from multiple forms, but I would definitely say this is a new chapter of R&B/Melodic Rap, Being that Melodic Rap is a new genre for the new generation. It is a Sound that I felt was perfect to write this musical letter to connect. – My key influences I would have to say would be Love, Heartbreak, Triumph,Fast Living & Nightlife battling to find myself in who I am as an artist while dealing with love finding the balance. Go download and stream YOUTH SOUL LOVE SOULMATE.
Afrofusion sensation ZNi is set to captivate audiences with his latest single, “Adventure,” a vibrant ode to romantic spontaneity. Born in Seattle but deeply connected to his Zimbabwean heritage, ZNi’s music reflects a fusion of cultures that is both infectious and inspiring.
“Adventure,” which is soon to hit radio, encapsulates the essence of a spontaneous romantic escapade, blending irresistible beats with vibrant lyrics that resonate with listeners. Produced by KloudNine Music, this solo track showcases ZNi’s dynamic musical style and sets the tone for his upcoming album, Good Karma.
The release of “Adventure” comes on the heels of ZNi marking a significant milestone in his career as his imprint, Maraire Music has just secured digital distribution with Universal Music Group on it’s future releases and the aforementioned “Adventure.”
Through this strategic collaboration, ZNi’s music will reach a wider audience globally, enhancing his visibility and impact in the music industry. The team at OneUmbrella played a pivotal role in facilitating this opportunity, demonstrating their dedication to advancing ZNi’s career and expanding his reach. This exciting development underscores ZNi’s growing influence and sets the stage for further success in the industry.
The accompanying music video, shot against the stunning backdrop of Bali, Indonesia, was directed by Sam King, who skillfully brings ZNi’s vision to life with captivating visuals that complement the song’s theme.
Reflecting on his musical journey, ZNi shared, “Music has always been a part of my life, thanks to my family’s musical legacy. I started playing instruments from a young age and eventually began writing and producing my own music as a way to express myself creatively.”
ZNi’s previous successes include features on various radio stations, including Motsweding FM in South Africa, and appearances on renowned blog sites such as The Breakfast Club, Billboard Sound, and Earmilk, which have amplified his reach and fanbase worldwide.
Looking ahead, ZNi is excited to continue promoting “Adventure” while working on new music and collaborations. Fans can stay updated on upcoming shows and tours by following him on social media @znimusic and visiting znimusic.com.
Expressing his gratitude to fans, ZNi added, “Your enthusiasm and love for my music inspire me every day, and I can’t wait to share more of my journey with you all. Keep streaming, sharing, and spreading the word about ZNi!”
About ZNi:
ZNi is a Zimbabwean American artist based in Seattle, WA, known for his vibrant Afrobeats sound that blends infectious rhythms with heartfelt lyrics. With a musical journey deeply rooted in his cultural heritage, ZNi aims to connect with audiences worldwide through his unique and uplifting music.
Adventure is available now on all major streaming platforms.