March 2, 2025
The honorees included Cynthia Erivo, Teyana Taylor, Marla Gibbs, in addition to Tyra Banks and Raamla Mohamed.
The honorees on the 2025 ESSENCE Black Ladies 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, obtained the highest honors on the Essence occasion. Within the occasion’s 18th yr, it continues to uplift and spotlight Black girls in leisure. Now, at a time the place range stays in danger, this celebration has taken an excellent higher 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 girls remarked on their accomplishments inside the business, 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 up to now.
“Heavenly Father God, I thanks for who you’re,” 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 situations, 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 type I’ve come to you. Thanks for wiping each tear away once I thought the load was punishment. Since you made it tremendous clear, now, that the load wasn’t punishment, it was simply preparation for what was already written for my life.”
Palmer then applauded Erivo for the impression she has on fellow Black actresses like herself.
“This is the reason you’re one in every of my favourite actresses as a result of I see me in you… I do need to be preferred, however I’m no person’s sufferer and I’ll by no means let anybody change the lightness in my step and the crack in my smile,” mentioned 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 at all times combat to guard that little individual that is aware of they’re greater than what the world has advised them they might be.”
Issa Rae additionally introduced the award to Mohamed. Tichana Arnold spoke on Gibb’s affect, whose daughter, Angela, obtained the award on her behalf. As for Banks, she earned the inaugural ESSENCE Luminary Highlight. In her speech, she said her dedication to creating new alternatives to showcase the lives and ambitions of Black girls.
Black girls throughout media and leisure attended the Essence ceremony, comparable to 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 varieties, however particularly in storytelling. Reid not too long ago garnered nationwide consideration after MSNBC axed her present, referring to the matter as a “break up.”
The complete 2025 Essence Black Ladies In Hollywood Awards ceremony will premiere on Essence’s YouTube after its pre-show on Mar. 3 at 7 p.m. ET.
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