Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards

Tracee Ellis Ross in Lethicia Bronstien

The other sister wives did NOT see this coming.

Viola Davis in Christian Siriano

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 23: Actor Viola Davis at Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 23, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Essence)

It's kind of astonishing that she's pulling off deep red lipstick with a hot pink dress, but that's Viola Davis for you. I'm not sure this looks as lush as it might, fabric-wise. Her shouders sell it better than the dress itself does.

Aja Naomi King in Michael Costello

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 23: Honoree Aja Naomi King at Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 23, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Earl Gibson III/Getty Images for Essence)

OH HOLY NIGHT. The stars were very nearly brightly shining, there. I can't tell if this would be a super fun wedding, or EPICALLY TERRIBLE, or both together.

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 23: Actor Aja Naomi King at Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 23, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for Essence)

YOU ARE SO LOVELY AND THIS IS JUST SUCH A BAD LOOK. My plain language is inversely proportionate to how freaking involved that gown is.

Janelle Monae

I was JUST saying (on our People Style Facebook Live video, archived here) that I wanted Janelle Monae to show up to the Oscars in black and white shot through with a little color. She debuted some early. I LOVE the hint of yellow, and just wish the pants were quite right. Maybe they just needed a different shoe

Gabrielle Union in Prada

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 23: Host Gabrielle Union at Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 23, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Essence)

Cute dress, and I love her bob

Danielle Brooks

This is quite fetching on her.

Cynthia Erivo in Kenzo

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 23: Actor Cynthia Erivo at Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 23, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Earl Gibson III/Getty Images for Essence)

Lips lips lips. Even just a LITTLE more color would help. Because that fabric is excellent.

Yara Shahidi in Chanel

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 23: Honoree Yara Shahidi at Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 23, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Essence)

This might feel like she borrowed it from someone older. Like, say, Tracee

Yvonne Orji in Delpozo

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 23: Actor Yvonne Orji at Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 23, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Earl Gibson III/Getty Images for Essence)

That is rabbbit ears and two giant oven mitts, and I LOVE IT ON HER.

Teyonah Parris

Wow, THAT is cool, too. Y'all are making the Oscars have to work harder to feel interesting

Samira Wiley in Wai Ming

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 23: Actor Samira Wiley at Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 23, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Earl Gibson III/Getty Images for Essence)

ALSO good. Can the next batter hit a Grand Slam?

Gabrielle Dennis in EQUIHUA

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 23: Actor Gabrielle Dennis at Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 23, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Essence)

... Huh. You know what, I might give it to her. That thing is like a crazy 8-bit Atari rendering of a flower garden that's being nailed by space invaders, and it's sorta cool.

Laverne Cox (in Rohit and Rahul) and Adrienne C. Moore

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 23: Actors Laverne Cox (L) and Adrienne C. Moore at Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 23, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Essence)

Okay I stared at this for like ten minutes and Laverne bewitched me. I like her dress. I'm still not sure about the other, but I'm coming around.

Issa Rae and Debbie Allen

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 23: Honoree Issa Rae and actor Debbie Allen pose with the 'Vanguard Award' at Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 23, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for Essence)

Ohhhh. Man, Issa Rae's face is spectacular, but this dress is a letdown from the other really interesting stuff she's done. I guess these days, every actress picks the weird sheer disaster once?

Kofi Siriboe and Common

And then these two showed up and everything was delicious again.