It’s a sunny day in Los Angeles and even sunnier at Fairmont Century Plaza where entertainment’s biggest stars were shining (like Harold Loomis, as Viola Davis would say) at ESSENCE’s 19th Annual Black Women in Hollywood Awards. Hosted by Marsai Martin, attendees and honorees—including Kerry Washington, Chase Infiniti, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, and Zinzi Coogler with a Luminary Spotlight for the women of Sinners—are using this year’s theme “Off Script” to take back ownership over the film and television industry. But, before the show began, they all owned the blue carpet first.
Washington arrived in a pale pink slip dress and leather jacket to match her sexy, edgy updo. Infiniti vowed to not drag her dress. Instead, she put her knit gown on a gold chain leash which held up her short train. Richardson Jackson had a similar updo to Washington’s, styled with ruby red jewelry to complement her eye makeup. Meanwhile, Martin decided on a deep side part bob and an extra-long muted train which draped the carpet as she walked.
Zendaya (who is rumored to have privately married Tom Holland) is leaning into the rumors with her bridal white mini dress—as seen on Whitney Houston in 1987—and new crop cut. In the name of love, Niecy Nash-Betts and her wife, Jessica, proved how to do couple style right: wear opposite patterns that just go. Meanwhile, a pregnant Wunmi Mosaku wore a slim beaded gown while her husband Tash Mosley cradled her belly. Finally, to close the red carpet, Love Island sweethearts Chelley Bissainthe, Serena Page, and Olandria Carthen all agreed darker hair is better for spring.
Below, see the best blue carpet beauty and fashion looks from ESSENCE’s 19th Annual Black Women in Hollywood Awards ceremony.
Marsai Martin
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Marsai Martin attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Kerry Washington
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Kerry Washington attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Chase Infiniti
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Chase Infiniti attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
LaTanya Richardson Jackson
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: LaTanya Richardson Jackson attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Ryan Coogler & Zinzi Coogler
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: (L-R) Ryan Coogler and Zinzi Coogler attend the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Ruth Carter
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Ruth E. Carter attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Wunmi Mosaku & Tash Moseley
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: (L-R) Wunmi Mosaku and Tash Moseley attend the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Shunika Terry-Jennings & Chinaka Hodge
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: (L-R) Shunika Terry-Jennings and Chinaka Hodge attend the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Hannah Beachler
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Hannah Beachler attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Jayme Lawson
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Jayme Lawson attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Delroy Lindo
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Delroy Lindo attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Jurnee Smolett
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Jurnee Smollett attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Mýa
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Mýa attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Sheryl Lee Ralph
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Sheryl Lee Ralph attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Zendaya
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Zendaya attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
LeToya Luckett
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: LeToya Luckett attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Coco Jones
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Coco Jones attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Laverne Cox
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Laverne Cox attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Jessica Betts & Niecy Nash-Betts
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: (L-R) Jessica Betts and Niecy Nash-Betts attend the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Kandi Burruss & Riley Burruss
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: (L-R) Kandi Burruss and Riley Burruss attend the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Chole Bailey
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Chlöe Bailey attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Halle Bailey
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Halle Bailey attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Tyrese
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Tyrese Gibson attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Chelley Bissainthe
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Chelley Bissainthe attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Serena Page
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Serena Page attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Olandria Carthen
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Olandria Carthen attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Eva Marcille
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Eva Marcille attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Kyla Pratt
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Kyla Pratt attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Karen Pittman
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Karen Pittman attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Tia Mowry
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Tia Mowry attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Loretta Devine
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Loretta Devine attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Skye P. Marshall
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Skye P. Marshall attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Ryan Destiny
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Ryan Destiny attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Crystle Stewart
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Crystle Stewart attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Lynn Whitfield
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Lynn Whitfield attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Novi Brown
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Novi Brown attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Tabitha Brown
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Tabitha Brown attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Jackie Aina
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Jackie Aina attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Brooke DeVard
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Brooke DeVard attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Monique Rodriguez
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Monique Rodriguez attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Danessa Myricks
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Danessa Myricks attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Krys Marshall
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Krys Marshall attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Amber Riley
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Amber Riley attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
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