The Oscars 2024 might not be until Sunday, but it’s clear Danielle Brooks is already a winner.
At Thursday afternoon’s Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards, all eyes were on Brooks as she accepted her award honoring her body of work as well as her Oscar nomination for her role in the musical adaptation of The Color Purple. Dressed like a golden statuette, wearing a shimmering Herve Leger gown and goddess halo crown, Brooks expressed nothing but gratitude.
“It’s so amazing,” Brooks told Vanity Fair on the red carpet ahead of the event. “There’s so many beautiful men and women inside this space, and especially today — I’m not going to cry — but my mom is here. So it’s really special.”
It was a special event for the audience, too, when Brooks broke out in song while accepting her award. “I feel the stirring in my spirit, I feel excitement, I feel rejuvenated, I feel inspired, and I know it’s because…the essence of Black women in this space that makes me feel that way…and the same feeling that I got, at a good church service,” the Orange is the New Black alum told the audience before singing the gospel tune “I Won’t Complain.” Brooks brought the room to its feet with a thunderous standing ovation complete with swoons and cheers — a truly spiritual moment.
Held a few days before the Oscars, the annual awards luncheon celebrates the top talents of color within the industry and honors some of the year’s most influential figures. Along with Brooks, this year’s Essence event, hosted by Method Man, honored All American screenwriter and showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll, Starz executive Kathryn Busby, and another Color Purple star and one half of the singing duo Chloe + Halle, Halle Bailey.
From compliments on work and fashion, to red carpet dance videos and conversations about hair textures and products, the camaraderie was unlike any other award show. Zendaya, with her hair in a sleek bob, was accompanied by her stylist and close friend Law Roach. She sweetly returned compliments by yelling “you look amazing” to peers on the carpet, while Yvonne Orji joked around with Aldis Hodge and Bailey walked hand-in-hand with her sister, stopping to give hugs and take photos along the way.
“I used to interview a lot of people here, so I think that’s what’s really cool about being a talk show host for seven years,” said Tamera Mowry-Housley, pointing to Brooks, who was standing next to her. “It’s always nice to see talent that you love,” said while pointing to Brooks, who stood next to her on the carpet. “I’ve known her for some time and I’m very, very happy for her.”
Inside the awards, which also brought out big names like Normani, Anthony Anderson, and Tina Knowles, selfies with the Bailey sisters continued while Wendell Pierce, Boris Kodjoe and Hill Harper gathered for a boys photo. At a table near the stage, MJ Rodgriuez was spotted giggling with Amber Wiley and in another part of the room, Letita Wright and BMF star Da’Vinci, both in green ensembles, hugged after passing each other in the crowd.
Morgan Evans
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