2026 Essence Black Women in Hollywood: The Solids

Zendaya in vintage Cachè

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: Zendaya 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)

Yes, you remember this from seeing it on Carrie Bradshaw; Law Roach posted a scene of SJP wearing it on his Instagram when he credited it, as well as snaps of Whitney Houston, who wore the original version. She looks great, obviously -- but I would have done a different shoe.

Karen Pittman

Fabulous! (Please note: It was VERY warm in Los Angeles yesterday, some of these folks had to be boiling.)

Garcelle Beauvais

She looks as cool and perfect as ever, but was surely warm. Having said: This is EXCELLENT.

Regé-Jean Page

Honestly, perfect for the weather AND the event.

Sheryl Lee Ralph in Sergio Hudson

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)

WHAT A BABE.

Ryan Coogler and Zinzi Coogler

Ryan looks totally nice, and Zinzi has had a stealth great awards season; I'm excited to see her Oscars gown.

Ryan Michelle Bathe

The velvet shoes are a smart styling choice here. This look has so much texture!

Kerry Washington in Brandon Maxwell

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)

I do really like this...and she's lucky she can just drop the leather jacket and not swealter.

Krys Marshall

I wish this was just the dress, without the pants (and, accordingly, less of that slit). But also: FOR ALL MANKIND COMES BACK AT THE END OF THE MONTH PLAN ACCORDINGLY.

Tia Mowry

She might have felt underdressed in comparison to some other folks but I actually love this entire look on her.

Marsai Martin

The train/cape feels like overkill for this event; just the dress itself would have felt so fresh.

Danielle Brooks

I like this a lot -- and if those complicated shoes are coming back, I actually support that. Some of us kept our Insanely Strappy Shoes in the back of our closet!!

Halle Bailey

This is also really pretty but you see what I mean about people's outfits being very widely-ranging, vibe-wise.

Delroy Lindo

He looks like a brilliant professor who will get dragged into one of Indiana Jones's adventures.

Boris Kodjoe

HELLO HANDSOME.

Nathalie Emmanuel in Diotima

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: Nathalie Emmanuel 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)

This has a lot happening -- she's got pants under there, too; it's easier to tell this in motion -- but in a way where she's pulling it off.

Eva Marcille

I'm not sure this high/low hem really works, although she basically still looks great.

Chase Infiniti in Schiaparelli

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: Chase Infiniti 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)

This is FABULOUS on her and I suspect it was in the running to go to a more high profile event -- although this one is fairly high profile as it is; I mean, like, the SAGs -- and she and her stylist just had to wear it SOMEWHERE. It feels too formal but also...I get it.

Jurnee Smollett

It's kinda sheer...but I also kinda love it.

Laverne Cox

Laverne is like, "I am not sorry I'm not working for E! anymore but I WOULD have worn this to host the Critics Choice red carpet."

Aldis Hodge

Perfect.