The honorees on the 2025 Essence Black Girls In Hollywood Awards are getting their reward for his or her monumental careers.
Teyana Taylor, Tyra Banks, and Cynthia Erivo, in addition to Raamla Mohamed and Marla Gibbs, acquired the highest honors on the Essence occasion. Within the occasion’s 18th yr, it continues to uplift and spotlight Black ladies in leisure. Now, at a time the place range stays in danger, this celebration has taken a fair larger significance for the Black group and Hollywood.
Hosted by “Cross” star Aldis Hodge, the recorded occasion happened in Los Angeles on Feb. 27. To introduce every honoree, one other Black ladies remarked on their accomplishments inside the trade, together with Niecy-Nash Betts for Taylor and Keke Palmer for Erivo. Taylor started her acceptance speech with a prayer to God for getting her thus far.
“Heavenly Father God, I thanks for who you might be,” started an emotional Taylor. “…Thanks for reminding me that your blessings, your love, your grace and your prick and your endurance with me doesn’t include circumstances, as a result of child, I do know I get in your nerves typically. And although I get in your nerves typically, always, you are taking your time with me.
She added, “Thanks for seeing me. Thanks for accepting me in each kind I’ve come to you. Thanks for wiping each tear away once I thought the burden was punishment. Since you made it tremendous clear, now, that the burden wasn’t punishment, it was simply preparation for what was already written for my life.”
Palmer then applauded Erivo for the influence she has on fellow Black actresses like herself.
“This is the reason you’re certainly one of my favourite actresses as a result of I see me in you… I do wish to be appreciated, however I’m no one’s sufferer and I’ll by no means let anybody change the lightness in my step and the crack in my smile,” stated Palmer to a teary-eyed Erivo. ” You possess and inject that fireplace into all of your characters… The innocence that’s misplaced so early in womanhood or feeling invisible or simply being the minority, we should all the time combat to guard that little individual that is aware of they’re greater than what the world has informed them they might be.”
Issa Rae additionally introduced the award to Mohamed. Tichana Arnold spoke on Gibb’s affect, whose daughter, Angela, acquired the award on her behalf. As for Banks, she earned the inaugural Essence Luminary Highlight. In her speech, she acknowledged her dedication to creating new alternatives to showcase the lives and ambitions of Black ladies.
Black ladies throughout media and leisure attended the Essence ceremony, resembling Taraji. P Henson, Zoë Kravitz, Natasha Rothwell and Meagan Good. Political commentator Pleasure-Ann Reid additionally made a shock look on stage. There, she highlighted the significance of sustaining range in all kinds, however particularly in storytelling. Reid just lately garnered nationwide consideration after MSNBC axed her present, referring to the matter as a “break up.”
The total 2025 Essence Black Girls In Hollywood Awards ceremony will premiere on Essence’s YouTube after its pre-show on March 3 at 7 P.M. ET.
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