After practically twenty years, Essence is making ready to as soon as once more have fun the Black ladies shaping Hollywood — this yr beneath the theme “Off Script.”
The media firm introduced earlier this week that its nineteenth annual Essence Black Girls in Hollywood Awards will happen March 12 on the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles. The extremely anticipated luncheon will convey collectively among the most influential names throughout movie and tv to highlight the affect and achievements of Black ladies within the trade.
Actor and producer Marsai Martin will host the occasion, which can even function a particular efficiency from Grammy-winning singer Mýa. This yr’s honorees embody Chase Infiniti, Kerry Washington, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, and producer Zinzi Coogler, together with the remainder of the ladies of the solid of “Sinners,” together with cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw, manufacturing designer Hannah Beachler, costume designer Ruth E. Carter, hair designer Shunika Terry-Jennings and stars Wunmi Mosaku and Jayme Lawson.
Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan will seem collectively to acknowledge Zinzi and the ladies behind “Sinners,” the workforce credited with serving to form the movie right into a cultural touchstone. Lindo will current the award honoring Washington, his co-star in Hulu’s dramedy “UnPrisoned.” Teyana Taylor, who was honored ultimately yr’s luncheon, will return to salute her “One Battle After One other” co-star Infiniti, whereas Jurnee Smollett will current to her godmother, acclaimed stage and display screen legend LaTanya Richardson Jackson — with every presenter honoring a girl they’ve labored alongside or shared the display screen with.
“This yr, honorees show how Black ladies are rewriting their Hollywood tales on their very own phrases — increasing past conventional roles, taking artistic management and constructing lasting possession throughout the trade,” organizers mentioned in a launch. “From groundbreaking performances to visionary manufacturing and management, the 2026 class embodies the ability of going off script in each side of their work.”
The ceremony, together with a pre-show hosted by Scott Evans and Stacy Ike, will stream stay on Essence’s official YouTube channel. The pre-show can even function the presentation of the Essie’s Selection Award, with nominees together with the casts of CBS’ “Past the Gates,” Hulu’s “Cheap Doubt,” and Netflix’s collection “Tyler Perry’s Magnificence in Black” and “Perpetually.” The printed can even introduce the inaugural Creators’ Award.
To mark the event, Essence additionally unveiled its annual Black Girls in Hollywood situation, that includes every of this yr’s honorees on their very own cowl. The newly launched pictures, already producing buzz on-line, function Infiniti as “The Starlet,” channeling basic Previous Hollywood glamour; Washington as “The Icon,” in daring, avant-garde couture that blends sculptural silhouettes with high-fashion drama; Richardson Jackson as “The Virtuoso” in regal, commanding appears to be like; whereas Zinzi and the ladies of “Sinners” seem collectively in elegant black robes.
