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Essence Live from The ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Red Carpet where we recognize outstanding achievements of trailblazing women in film and television. Hosted By Dana Blair and LaLa Anthony.
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00:00We are in Hollywood for Essence's 9th annual Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon.
00:04And family, this is going to be star-studded.
00:07We're bringing you exclusive interviews from the red carpet,
00:10plus we'll speak with Hollywood icon my girl Angela Bassett
00:13and take a look back at this season's red carpet trends.
00:16It is Thursday, February 25th, and Essence Live starts now.
00:30Welcome, welcome, welcome to Essence Live.
00:37I'm your host, Dana Blair, coming to you live from sunny Los Angeles.
00:41And let me tell you, I could seriously get used to this weather, people.
00:44You see, I'm getting a little bit of a tan.
00:46I don't know if you noticed. I like to throw that out there.
00:48We are here at the Beverly Wilshire for Essence's 9th annual Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon.
00:53And if you're not familiar with this event,
00:54this is the premiere gathering of Black Women in Movies and Television.
01:00And this news event is honoring Tracee Ellis Ross,
01:03director and actress Debbie Allen,
01:04and entertainment power attorney Nina Shaw.
01:06I'll be here interviewing all the stars as they enter the ballroom.
01:09And of course, I want you to tweet along with me.
01:12I know y'all love to chat at me.
01:13Use the hashtag BlackWomenInHollywood to share your thoughts
01:16and join our official Twitter party.
01:17Joining me right now is Raj Register,
01:20manager of multicultural communications for Lincoln,
01:23who is sponsoring the event.
01:25Let's welcome Raj.
01:29Hi, how are you?
01:31Thank you. How are you?
01:32I'm fabulous. You look absolutely stunning.
01:35Is this your first time here at Black Women in Hollywood?
01:36It is.
01:37And what are your thoughts?
01:39First time's a charm.
01:40Instead of third. I love it. I love it. Absolutely love it.
01:44Now, why is it so important that the Lincoln Motor Company
01:46continue to be a partner in this event?
01:48I think it's important that we represent true essence
01:51and true luxury and style in our community.
01:54It's not just about cars, but it's about the way you feel.
01:56And I think Lincoln does a great job of that with our Continental.
01:59You have a Continental here in the ballroom
02:01and one right here on the awards stage.
02:04It looks absolutely fabulous.
02:06But I have to ask you,
02:07who are you looking forward to seeing
02:08with all of this black girl magic we have in the room?
02:11Black girl magic?
02:12Of course, Oprah.
02:12I mean, who else could you just, who else would you say?
02:16But also, you know, just everyone that's here,
02:19whether they're a celebrity or not,
02:20everyone has a story and everyone is bringing something so special.
02:24And so I'm just looking forward to building more relationships
02:26and having a little fun.
02:28And so what's the latest for Lincoln?
02:29Let's talk to me because I see this car and it is schnazzy.
02:32It is schnazzy.
02:33This is our latest.
02:34But one of the things that we're working on this year
02:36is a partnership with Revel.
02:37And it's just a luxurious sound system.
02:40And so we're really trying to raise the bar with what we offer,
02:43doing things that are exclusive,
02:44that are not like what anyone else is doing.
02:46Awesome.
02:47And so where should our Essence Live audience go
02:49if they want more information on Lincoln and the new vehicle?
02:52Just simply www.lincoln.com.
02:54We also have more of a lifestyle site, lincolnnow.com,
02:58where you can find stories of real people that drive Lincolns,
03:02that have, you know, just personal things that they love to share.
03:05So that's another just lifestyle, not as vehicle-specific,
03:09but, you know, just a place where you can share.
03:12I love a good storytelling.
03:13We always love some good storytelling at Essence Live.
03:15Thank you, Raj, so very much for joining us.
03:17And I know I'm going to catch up with you a little bit later on
03:19and see how you'll like in all the event and all the schnazzle-dazzle.
03:22When it comes to Hollywood icons,
03:24it doesn't get any bigger than Miss Angela Bassett.
03:26I sat down with her recently in New York
03:28and asked her what it's really like to be nominated for an Oscar.
03:31Take a look.
03:33It was thrilling.
03:34It wasn't, I don't think I ever thought that I would actually ever make it
03:39to that podium, you know, to that venue.
03:43I mean, you always give your speech, your make-believe speech,
03:46but if you hadn't seen it before you many times,
03:51I mean, it's a long shot.
03:52Only five out of however 500 movies made a year, you know,
03:57but the role that is worthy of landing in that top five.
04:03And you're brilliant.
04:05Well, thank you.
04:06You're absolutely brilliant.
04:07Now, the diversity in Hollywood is a big topic this year.
04:11Do you and your fellow actors and actresses of all ethnic backgrounds,
04:15do you ever talk about diversity in Hollywood,
04:17whether it's in front of the camera or behind?
04:19I don't know if we have, you know, pointy conversations.
04:23I'll get together.
04:24Of course, I was with one of my dear friends last night.
04:26You can't help but talk about the business or, you know, roles you're going up for,
04:31but, you know, it comes up.
04:34And a lot of times your, you know, work that you've seen other sisters do,
04:39you know, work that excites you, you know, you want to talk about that.
04:43Do you think that a boycott is necessary?
04:46I mean, there's a lot of buzz on Twitter right now.
04:49Of course, Chris Rock is hosting the Oscars.
04:51Do you think a boycott is maybe going too far?
04:53Well, maybe just sometimes just bringing up the word.
04:56It seems to have been enough.
04:58Rolling people out.
05:00A boycott.
05:02I think one comedian said, you know,
05:05I don't knock on your door just because you didn't invite me and say, you know,
05:08I'm boycotting, I'm not coming over, I'm not coming over there.
05:10I'm interested when I see a diversity in the land.
05:15That's when I'm most excited, you know,
05:17because I like to see all types of movies.
05:20Yeah, that's what keeps it interesting.
05:21All types, yeah.
05:21That's what keeps it interesting.
05:22I don't not see a movie because the people don't look like me, you know.
05:28If I hear it's a great story or good characters or a bad, you know, performance,
05:38then I can relate.
05:40Of course.
05:41Do you have any words of wisdom or advice to fellow black women in Hollywood
05:43who may be here presently or coming up?
05:46Just words of encouragement or advice?
05:49Just remain passionate about it.
05:52You know, don't let that flame die out.
05:56You know, remain passionate.
05:57Stay positive.
05:58Speak positively.
06:00Believe.
06:01Encourage.
06:02Support.
06:03You know, all those things work because it can be, you know,
06:07it can be easy to turn cynical.
06:10No, I definitely understand.
06:11In this profession or in any other.
06:13No, totally understand.
06:14Yeah.
06:14No, that makes sense.
06:15You have to, as I love the saying by Alex Haley,
06:19find the good and praise it.
06:22Mm.
06:22Because there's some good in there.
06:24There's some good in there.
06:24There's some good in there to be found.
06:26To my fellow black women in Hollywood,
06:35I want to say I love you and you inspire me.
06:37The first person I think of is Viola Davis
06:39because even though you know that it's her
06:42and you have an idea of what to expect,
06:46her performance is going to be very intense.
06:47It's going to be very riveting.
06:48You know that.
06:49But there's just a real gravitas to everything that she does.
06:55Tasha Smith is like a big sister to me.
06:57I absolutely adore her.
06:59Gabrielle, I absolutely adore.
07:01I've been so blessed to work with so many legends.
07:05Angela Bassett, having Alfre Woodard in my life as a mentor,
07:10Diane Carroll, Cicely Tyson.
07:13I don't believe in competition.
07:14I believe that what's mine is mine
07:16and no one can take it from me
07:17and what someone else's is someone else's
07:19and I can't take it from them.
07:20When we run into each other,
07:21we're like, hey, girl, you know, go kill it
07:23and stuff like that
07:24because a win for one is a win for all.
07:26I always get excited when I see somebody win.
07:29Like it really, really makes me happy
07:31and, you know, no matter who it is,
07:33if it's Gabby, if it's Zoe, if it's Carrie,
07:35like I literally legit get like, yes, just get it, you know?
07:39To my fellow black actresses in Hollywood,
07:42do what you want to do.
07:43People are always going to have ideas of who you should be
07:46and what that's supposed to mean,
07:48but as an artist, that can be stifling.
07:50You can't please everybody.
07:52It's absolutely impossible no matter what you do.
07:54The best that you can do is be yourself and be authentic.
07:57Keep doing you because you make me proud.
08:37Welcome back to Essence Live,
08:41coming to you from the Beverly Wilshire in Los Angeles
08:43for Essence's Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon.
08:46I'm your host, Dana Blair,
08:47and joining me now is Corey Murray, our entertainment director.
08:50Hello, hello.
08:51Hello, Dana Blair.
08:52How are you?
08:53First of all, you look fabulous.
08:55I'm trying to serve you something.
08:57I feel 1950s, I mean, 20s, slapper girl, Harlem Renaissance.
09:02Bangs in my hair.
09:04Yes, but in Hollywood.
09:04But in Hollywood.
09:05And I love you in red.
09:07I had an astrology manicure once,
09:09and they said red was my career color.
09:11Okay, all right, astrology manicure.
09:13But you're an entertainment director.
09:15Yes.
09:16So this is your big potato.
09:18This is your ilk, if you will.
09:20Yes.
09:20What is it like having all of these women in this room on this magical day
09:25just paying tribute to all they've done for entertainment?
09:28Well, I cover this all the time for work,
09:31so it's a chance for me to see things in person.
09:34You know, I follow these people on Hollywood Reporter.
09:36I see them on shows.
09:37You know, I stalk them on Instagram.
09:39And now to, like, be in the same room as, like, Stephanie Elaine,
09:42who's, like, produced Hustle and Flow and Dear White People,
09:45and now she's the director of the L.A. Film Festival.
09:47And give her a hug and be like, I'm Corey.
09:49Hi.
09:49I'm a fan girl.
09:50I love you.
09:50I love you.
09:50And, you know, when I see Kiki Palmer is queued up for you to talk to next,
09:53like, I love her on Screen Queens.
09:55Like, I've seen her grow up.
09:56So it's just a full circle for me.
09:58Like, it's my own chance to, like, see what I do come to life.
10:01Like, how difficult is it each and every year to pick someone or the honorees,
10:07if you will?
10:07You know, it's split.
10:08It's like you have that one person who's, like, the standout.
10:10Like, Tracee Ellis Ross was, like, clear, like, done.
10:13But then you have that person who you've been, like, trying to get for years.
10:16But because she's been working forever and doing her thing, it's like,
10:20I need to get on, you need to get on my schedule.
10:22And that's what the case was with Debbie Allen.
10:23Like, she was like, I'm available this day.
10:26And we're like, we'll take it.
10:28We're going to take this.
10:28We're going to take this.
10:29So it's a little bit of mix.
10:31Like, there's people who you've seen and you know it's just a matter of time.
10:33But then it's that person who's truly the breakout that you want to pay attention to.
10:37And I also want to encourage my Essence Live audience,
10:39please use the hashtag Black Women in Hollywood.
10:42Yes.
10:42You can talk to Corey.
10:43You can talk to myself.
10:44Any one of our fabulous editors and influencers who are here in the room.
10:47And you can get all the tea on what's happening as this room is just filled with black girl magic.
10:52I'm so bad.
10:53I haven't posted yet.
10:54But I will because I'm so excited.
10:56But I can't wait to start getting some.
10:58And you're here year after year.
11:00Yes.
11:00You work on our covers.
11:01But who are you looking forward to seeing?
11:03Oh, my God.
11:04I'll be honest with you.
11:05I'm a little bit of a nerd.
11:06So Nina Shaw, our Entertainment Lawyer of the Year.
11:08I mean, I've been watching this woman for a minute because, you know,
11:11like that behind the scenes power is real.
11:16Like when I go talk to kids at school, everyone's like, I want to be Beyonce.
11:19I want to be such and such.
11:20But I'm like that real there's power behind the scenes as well.
11:23And Nina Shaw has been wielding it for years.
11:25And then just to know, like Eric Holder is her bestie.
11:28Right.
11:28Attorney General.
11:29That's real power influence people.
11:32You know what I mean?
11:32And like Channing Dungy being named president of ABC,
11:36we were trying to connect with Nina over some like last minute details.
11:39And she's like, I'm sorry I couldn't talk to you.
11:41I was finishing up the deal for Channing Dungy.
11:42I said, drop mic.
11:43There you go.
11:44And there you have it.
11:45You were working.
11:45And Corey, thank you so much for stopping by.
11:47No, I love it.
11:48But I don't know if you know, upstairs in the red carpet,
11:50we have a very, very special co-host.
11:53Hmm.
11:53Miss.
11:54Who could that be?
11:55It's Miss Lala Anthony.
11:57Hello, Lala.
11:58How are you?
11:58What's going on up there in the red carpet?
12:00Oh, it's getting hectic here, up here by the red carpet.
12:03We're having a great time.
12:04So many people are arriving, seeing so many of the...
12:07And you yourself, Lala, you're an actress
12:09and an influencer in the Hollywood community.
12:12But who are you looking forward to seeing at this event today?
12:15You know, I'm looking forward to seeing Tracee Ellis Ross.
12:16I love her.
12:17Angela Bassett, love her.
12:19And just all my friends.
12:20My best friend Kelly Rowland is coming here today.
12:21Just excited to hang out.
12:23I feel like it's girlfriends hanging out, supporting each other.
12:25And I think it's really important for everyone out there
12:28to see women, empowering women.
12:30So I'm so excited to be here, looking around.
12:32The carpet is buzzing right now.
12:34So hopefully we'll be able to talk to some of these.
12:35And you look absolutely fabulous.
12:38I'm hoping we'll be able to talk to some of these amazing women really shortly.
12:41Yes, definitely.
12:42Now, who are you wearing?
12:43And what was the preparation like for you to get all glammed up and zhuzhed up?
12:47So I'm wearing Victoria Beckham, and the preparations are you get up early,
12:51you start getting your hair and makeup done, you put your outfit on,
12:54and then you head out the door.
12:56But it's fun getting ready.
12:57You know, it's a fun time.
12:58You look absolutely fabulous.
12:58Oh, we have somebody here hanging out with us.
13:00Hi.
13:01How are you?
13:02Hi, Erica.
13:02How's everything?
13:03Wonderful.
13:04How are you feeling?
13:05I am excited.
13:06Always happy to be at this event.
13:08Yeah, I'm here helping out with Essence,
13:10interviewing all these amazing, talented women.
13:12Who are you most excited to see here today?
13:14You know, it's a little bit of everybody.
13:16I think the thing about this event is the room is alive.
13:19It's loving.
13:20It's fabulous.
13:21It's women supporting women.
13:23We cheer each other.
13:23We cry a little bit.
13:24And it's beautiful, and I think it's wonderful that the world is going to see it.
13:27I'm really happy that Owen is broadcasting.
13:29I said it feels like girlfriends just hanging out.
13:31Absolutely.
13:31Like we're all going to a big lunch together and just hanging out.
13:34Yeah, like I was in the bathroom, and someone was like,
13:36oh, fix your earring, girl.
13:37And I was like, okay, touch your hair.
13:38It's just really fun.
13:39Now, we are talking about the hashtag Black Girl Magic.
13:42So tell me, what does Black Girl Magic mean to you?
13:45Black Girl Magic is that thing that's sometimes undefinable.
13:48Everybody has their own individual version of it.
13:50But it always includes confidence.
13:53It always includes the strength that you have to shine in the face of adversity,
13:57in the face of this industry that will tell you that you're not beautiful
14:00and you're lacking something.
14:02Understanding who you are and what you have.
14:04That's Black Girl Magic.
14:05Definitely.
14:05And lastly, let's just talk a little fashion.
14:07Tell me what you're wearing here today.
14:08My sister's going to kill me.
14:11There's an amazing designer who made this for me, and I'm so sorry that I didn't.
14:14Well, it doesn't.
14:15It looks amazing.
14:17I want to make sure they got a shot of your amazing, amazing outfit.
14:21Thank you so much.
14:21All right, so I'll see you inside.
14:22Absolutely.
14:22All right.
14:23Have a good time.
14:24You too.
14:24Okay.
14:24All right, Dana, we're going back to you.
14:26A lot of stuff happening here.
14:27Definitely check back in with me shortly,
14:28because it's popping on the side of the carpet.
14:31I know.
14:32I absolutely love all of the energy and the buzz as it builds,
14:35but right now I want to talk Oscars.
14:37They are coming.
14:38We've already seen preparations around the city of Los Angeles,
14:41but that's nothing compared to what celebrities go through
14:44in getting their red carpet looks together.
14:47Back in New York, I caught up with three very savvy style experts
14:50for an award show edition of Slade or Shade.
14:53Check it out.
14:58For this special edition of Slade or Shade,
15:07we're looking at all of the hits and misses
15:08from the red carpet this award season.
15:10Coming all the way from South Africa,
15:12we have Revlon ambassador and TV and radio personality,
15:15Banang Mateba.
15:16Hello.
15:16How are you?
15:17I'm fabulous.
15:17How are you?
15:18Good.
15:19Thank you for joining us.
15:19Only a pleasure.
15:20Thank you for having me.
15:21Yes, what else?
15:22We also have style expert and TV personality,
15:24the one and only Miss Marlo Hampton.
15:27Hi.
15:28Welcome to Essence Live.
15:29It's such a pleasure to be here.
15:31I like your shoes.
15:33And rounding out our fabulous panelist
15:35is fashion expert and owner of Glamour Deluxe Glamour.
15:38Welcome.
15:39Hi.
15:40Welcome to Essence Live.
15:41Thank you for having me.
15:42Thank you for being here and for adding some energy,
15:44male energy to the face.
15:45Always.
15:46Just a little bit.
15:47We're going to jump right into it.
15:48Our first look is Tracee Ellis Ross
15:50at the NAACP Awards in a black Reuben Singer gown.
15:54Did she slay this look or are we throwing shade?
15:57What are our thoughts?
15:57Hmm.
15:58One, two, three.
15:59Let me know, people.
16:00Slay or shade?
16:02That's a...
16:03Oh, we have a slate.
16:04Are you on the fence?
16:06There's always a slate shade.
16:07It's a slate shade.
16:08The hair throws me off.
16:09Okay, but they're done.
16:10The hair was everything.
16:11So I'm halfway.
16:12I mean, the dress is impeccable,
16:14but the hair, not so much.
16:16The shoes are banging.
16:18The shoe and the dress was everything.
16:20The hair, she should have either pulled it straight back
16:21or she could have just hit it out naturally big and curly.
16:24Just wanted a little bit more.
16:25The hair, it just gave me like a little Rick Ross ponytail
16:28and then ponytail on the back.
16:30I didn't like that.
16:30I just love to see her with that big natural hair.
16:32Like, that's the definition of Tracee.
16:34I just love to wear just big natural hair,
16:35that dress, the body, the shoe.
16:37It was everything.
16:38The hair just threw me off.
16:39I feel like either we want to see her with the big hair
16:40or just really snatch.
16:42Like, the imbezzine for her.
16:43We're like, eh, not too much.
16:44It seems like she really didn't know what to do.
16:47So it's either, you know, she goes back or she goes big.
16:49Yeah, and from Tracee, we're so used to seeing her
16:52as like a style, like having her own style, flavor and personality.
16:56Like, you know, so, okay, fair enough.
16:58All right, so that was our little warm-up here.
17:00Next, we have Andra Day at the Grammys
17:01in a silk emerald gown from Michael Costello.
17:04Ooh.
17:04A white fur shawl.
17:06Oh, dang, dang.
17:07Oh, and white fur sips.
17:08Okay, okay.
17:10Y'all don't wait.
17:11Oh, my God.
17:12Shade, shade, shade.
17:13Okay, oh, okay.
17:14Across the manhole.
17:14No.
17:15Glammo, we'll start with you.
17:17Let me tell you something about this.
17:18Talk to me.
17:19This gives me almost like a pimp
17:22in his green silk cheap sheets.
17:26And I want to almost hide my dog from her
17:29because I'm afraid that she's going to try
17:30to use him as a stole and put in a shoe.
17:33Tell us how you really feel.
17:34I am.
17:35It's just too much.
17:36That didn't work for me.
17:37Yes.
17:38So you wouldn't recreate that look?
17:39No, ma'am.
17:40No, no.
17:41Myla?
17:42I know what?
17:42It gave me more like winter Barbie dress up.
17:45I want to be Barbie winter time.
17:48Just bad, bad, bad bridesmaid dress.
17:51Just, it was dark when then day about me
17:54looking at this outfit.
17:55It was just awful.
17:55Whoever did it, just retired.
17:57Just stop.
17:57Call me.
17:58It's bad.
17:59I can do better than that.
18:00Very bad.
18:00I mean, she's attending the Grammys
18:01and they're in Los Angeles
18:02and it's very, very hot there.
18:04So I'm trying to understand
18:05why she's wearing so many elements.
18:07The velvet, the fur, the shoes.
18:08There's too much going on.
18:10There's the hair, the makeup,
18:11the curl, the feather,
18:12the length, the frills.
18:14She put it all on.
18:15Yeah.
18:15She needs to decide.
18:16Bring it down, maybe all the way down.
18:18Okay, well, let me play devil's advocate here.
18:20Like, she does have a different style personality.
18:24She's a little vintage.
18:25No.
18:26She lost the fur still
18:28and did another shoe to be vintage.
18:29She could have did a leopard print.
18:31She could have did a clutch,
18:32just that fur and the shoe
18:34did not go with that dress.
18:35She could have did denim with the fur.
18:37Yeah.
18:37She could have put on boyfriend jeans
18:39or in a sequenced blaze or something.
18:41Just not that.
18:41Just not that.
18:42She's a beautiful girl.
18:42She's a beautiful girl.
18:43She's beautiful.
18:43Absolutely stunning.
18:44Well, as you can see, Essence Lab,
18:46we're going to keep it all the way 100.
18:47Yeah.
19:14You are watching Essence Live
19:27at Essence's ninth annual
19:28Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon.
19:30I'm your host, Dana Blair,
19:31inside the Beverly Hills show
19:32where all of the fabulosity
19:33of the event is taking place.
19:35And joining me right now,
19:36my girl, Kiki Palmer.
19:38How are you?
19:38Oh, my gosh.
19:39So good to see you.
19:39It is so good to see you.
19:40You look beautiful.
19:41No.
19:41I'm almost there.
19:42I'm almost there.
19:43Look at that.
19:44Look at that.
19:44You look absolutely fabulous.
19:45What made the hair change?
19:47You know, well, when I first cut my hair,
19:49I cut it when I did Cinderella.
19:51And I loved, loved, loved the pixie.
19:53And then I just wanted to go one step further
19:55with that freedom I was feeling
19:56from cutting my hair off.
19:57You know, being an entertainer
19:58and all the hair, different choices
20:00that you're forced to do with your acting,
20:02I just felt so relieved to be able to do something
20:04and make a choice on my own
20:05about what I want to look like.
20:07Do you think you're ever going to go
20:08all the way ballsy?
20:09I think I will, actually.
20:10What?
20:10Yeah, I can definitely feel that coming on soon.
20:12Yeah, for sure.
20:13Now, I have to ask you,
20:15there's so much, so many women in this room
20:17of influence and power and idols.
20:20And we talk a lot here at Essence
20:21about black girl magic.
20:22What does that mean to you?
20:24You know, it's so many different things
20:25that it means to me.
20:27I think in my experience of being a black person,
20:29a black woman, and knowing the history,
20:30that's where I get my strength from.
20:32And that, to me, is magical.
20:33You know, some people can look at that
20:34as a negative thing, but to me,
20:36the history of black people is the most beautiful
20:37and astonishing thing to me in the world,
20:39to see how far we've come
20:40and where we've been.
20:41And, you know, that's the magic to me
20:43as a black woman, I feel like,
20:44to have that inner pocket of strength.
20:46No matter where I go through,
20:47I can look back and know that I'm going to be okay
20:48because of those before me.
20:50Yeah, that was so well put.
20:51Oh, thank you.
20:51That's so beautiful.
20:52And what brings you back to black women in Hollywood
20:54year after year to this event?
20:57Well, because we get to be here
20:58and congratulate each other.
20:58You know, I think people might assume
21:00that we get to see each other more often than we do,
21:03but we're all out here grinding
21:04and, you know, working the pavement.
21:06So we don't get to see each other that often.
21:07So when we're here, we get to connect.
21:09And we also get to say,
21:10when are we working together, girl?
21:11Right, right.
21:12What are we working on?
21:12What are you working on?
21:13Exactly.
21:13What are you doing?
21:15All right.
21:15So thank you so very much
21:16for taking the time to stop by.
21:18You always have to come back,
21:19eat every project,
21:20and just hang out with the Essence Live family.
21:21Of course, my family gave me my first cover.
21:23Oh, okay.
21:24There you go.
21:25That's the scoop.
21:25Lala, who do you have up there on the red carpet?
21:27Hey, so I'm hanging out here
21:29with one of my friends, Amber Brie Riley.
21:31We are here.
21:32What's going on?
21:32What's going on, girl?
21:33So tell me about,
21:35you did say this is your first time coming to this.
21:36Yes.
21:37How are you feeling just being surrounded
21:38by so many amazing women here today?
21:41It's so electric in here.
21:42It really is.
21:43I was so excited when I woke up this morning,
21:45and I just, I can't wait to sit in that room
21:47and just glean.
21:49Exactly.
21:50Now tell me about some of your upcoming projects
21:52because people out there want to know,
21:53what are you doing?
21:54What are you working?
21:54I know, but you've got to tell everybody else
21:56what's going on.
21:57So I'm doing Dreamgirls on the West End in London,
22:00and my whole entire family is flying out there.
22:03I'm really excited.
22:04I'm flying out there.
22:05I'm going to come check you out.
22:07That's going to be amazing.
22:09It's kind of epic, and I'm like terrified,
22:11but it's a good terrified.
22:12It's a challenging, pushing kind of terrified.
22:15And how long are you going to be there for?
22:16I'm going to be there for a year.
22:17A year?
22:18Yes.
22:18Okay, we've got to tear it up.
22:19I'm going to come back with an accent, guys.
22:21I know.
22:21We've got to tear it up.
22:22We've got to tear it up.
22:23So today the hashtag is Black Girl Magic.
22:26Tell me what does that mean to you?
22:27Oh, my gosh.
22:28It's so hard to put that in words, you know?
22:30It's really hard to put it in words.
22:33Black girls are magic.
22:34I don't even know what, like, our style,
22:36how we set trends, you know what I mean?
22:39I just, I have so many magical black girls in my life that it's just,
22:43it's really hard to put it in words.
22:45Definitely.
22:45Well, I look forward to seeing you inside.
22:47Thank you, boo.
22:48See you inside.
22:49All right, Dana, back to you.
22:52Thank you so very much, Lala.
22:54You know, we've been talking so much about black girl magic,
22:57and I have to say I've been at this event about seven different times
23:01over the last nine years,
23:02and each and every time it gets more and more magical,
23:04just feeling the love, the energy, the respect,
23:07and seeing the growth and the way in which Hollywood has embraced
23:10African-American women in front of the camera as well as behind,
23:13and how we embrace each other is just truly, truly, absolutely magical.
23:17I can't wait to share a little bit more for me,
23:19with everyone out there in Essence Live from the Carpet.
23:21I want to right now take a look at a tribute
23:23to one of today's black women in Hollywood honorees.
23:26No stranger to the Essence family, Miss Tracy Ellis Ross.
23:29Check it out.
23:32Traci is truly one of the funniest women I have ever met.
23:42I started to admire Traci's comedy chops
23:45on a show called Lyricist Lounge,
23:48and they were doing improv and sketch comedy.
23:52When I wrote the character for Joan,
23:54it was supposed to be Regina King,
23:55but Regina King wasn't returning anybody's phone calls.
23:58So we looked all over town for Joan.
24:03From the moment she did the first line of the script,
24:06I was like, oh my God, she's Joan.
24:08I can't see anyone other than Traci Ellis Ross playing Joan.
24:13One of the best things about doing A Read Between the Lines
24:16was working with Traci and our relationship.
24:19I mean, she's an actress, you know?
24:21She can play, I think, anything.
24:23She's incredibly talented, both dramatically and comedically.
24:27I guess what makes Traci and I have so much fun together
24:31is because we are so much alike and so opposite at the same time.
24:37Traci has created a plethora of amazing characters
24:40where you forget that's Traci.
24:42Traci and I have been friends forever,
24:43so I brought Traci a lot of projects,
24:45and so I told her, I was like,
24:46this is something I want to do,
24:47that you're the person I want to do it with.
24:49One of the things that resonates about Traci
24:51is that Lucille Ball-ish quality.
24:54I think Traci has really redefined the idea
24:56of what the television mom is.
24:58I think for comedy, you've just got to commit.
25:00You've got to be able to drop it and commit.
25:02I think what makes Traci's comedic timing
25:04or her comedy so good
25:06is because it's all rooted in heart.
25:09She's like Shazam.
25:10She's like the female, the human incarnation of a lightning bolt,
25:14meaning like light, powerful, jagged, sharp, and on fire.
25:25Welcome back to Essence Live,
25:28coming to you from the Beverly Hillshire
25:30here in Los Angeles, California,
25:32for Essence's Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon.
25:35I'm your host, Dana Blair,
25:36and I want you to join our Twitter party.
25:38Use the hashtag Black Women in Hollywood
25:40to share your thoughts on today's honorees,
25:42what looks from the carpet you are absolutely loving,
25:45and shout out to your favorite celebrity,
25:47whatever you absolutely want.
25:48I'm downstairs near the ballroom
25:49where all of the magic is happening today,
25:51but let's head upstairs to our red carpet correspondent,
25:54Miss Lala Anthony.
25:54What's up, Lala?
25:55So yeah, it's popping on this side of the carpet.
25:57I got my girl TK here right now.
25:58How are you?
25:59You look gorgeous.
26:00Gorgeous.
26:01I saw you up.
26:01I was like, sick girl.
26:03You look so good.
26:05How are you feeling being here today?
26:06Oh my gosh, it's exciting,
26:08and I love being in this room.
26:10It's such an encouraging, inviting, and loving room.
26:12Doesn't it feel like we're just all like girlfriends
26:14just hanging out?
26:15Oh yeah, and it's inspiring seeing somebody like you
26:17who's producing and doing so many other things.
26:19Thank you, and same with you.
26:20We're all inspired to do more.
26:22Tell me a little bit about this film you had at Sundance, right?
26:24Yeah.
26:24That like kicked butt,
26:26and everybody's talking about filming on that.
26:27Oh man, Southside with you just got bought
26:30by Miramax Roadside.
26:31That's amazing.
26:32So everybody's going to get to see it,
26:33and I'm excited about that.
26:34John Legend's one of the producers,
26:35and I'm a producer on it as well,
26:38and it's about the first date of Barack Obama
26:41and Michelle Robinson.
26:42I love that.
26:42So you get to see all the conversations
26:44that might have taken place.
26:46A lot of it's pulled from public domain,
26:47but it's a love story,
26:50and I'm really excited for people to see it.
26:51I love that we're doing producing.
26:53We're putting our hands in everything right now.
26:55Girl, we are not just one thing.
26:56No, not just one thing.
26:57And now the hashtag for this is Black Girl Magic.
26:59Just tell me what that means to you.
27:01Black Girl Magic means we can do anything we want to do.
27:05We are natural born, I feel like leaders,
27:11and we persevere through everything,
27:13and when somebody says no,
27:14we smile and we keep it moving.
27:15I know.
27:16We're like, sure thing.
27:17Sure, bye.
27:19Well, I love you,
27:20and I can't wait to see you inside.
27:21Thank you, Mama.
27:22All right, see you inside.
27:22All right, babe, see you.
27:24All right.
27:25I'm telling you,
27:27this carpet is just like seeing all your friends
27:29and hanging out and having a good time.
27:30Hey, girl.
27:31Girl.
27:33I'm working behind the scenes today.
27:35Girl, you're always working, though.
27:36I said this is like all our girlfriends
27:38just hanging out and having a good time.
27:40It's amazing.
27:40It's like a homecoming.
27:41It's like a whole little high school reunion.
27:43Yeah, you look hot.
27:44How are you?
27:44You look hot.
27:45Okay, tell me about this outfit.
27:46I want to know about this.
27:47This is Amati Couture.
27:49Hey, girl.
27:50Hey.
27:52Now, we are talking about the hashtag Black Girl Magic.
27:55Tell me, for you, what is Black Girl Magic?
27:58You know what Black Girl Magic is to me?
27:59It's sisterhood.
28:00It's the magic of pulling one up as you climb.
28:03It's the magic of what this event actually represents.
28:06Right.
28:06And all of us just coming together
28:07and just applauding and saluting each other
28:10and checking in and how are you?
28:12You're right.
28:13Are you good?
28:13I am good.
28:14Are you good?
28:14Exactly.
28:15I'm good.
28:15That's amazing.
28:16Now, who are you looking forward to seeing most here?
28:19Is it just like everybody?
28:20You know what's amazing?
28:21Debbie Allen and I,
28:23Debbie is one of the reasons why I'm in this business
28:25and she's been a personal mentor of mine
28:27for the last almost 30 years.
28:29She paid for my senior year at Howard University.
28:31Wow.
28:32I'm the first recipient of the Debbie Allen Fellowship
28:34Rashad Scholarship.
28:35See, that's a great story.
28:36Just to see all of the work that she's done
28:38and the lives that she's changed.
28:39It's amazing.
28:39Especially mine.
28:41It's awesome.
28:41All right.
28:42Well, I can't wait to see you inside.
28:43Have fun.
28:44I'll see you inside in a second.
28:45Black girl magic.
28:46All right.
28:46Sending it over to you, Dana.
28:48Thank you so much, Lala.
28:49I cannot wait to hear that love story myself.
28:52I can't wait to see Tika do her thing.
28:53Joining me now,
28:55a gentleman who I often have walk-offs with,
28:58a style influencer, trendsetter,
29:00Emile Wilbur Can.
29:01How are you?
29:02Hi, Dana.
29:02How are you?
29:03I'm fabulous.
29:04How are you doing?
29:05You know what?
29:05I'm doing great.
29:06We've been planning this for over six months.
29:10And it's really exciting to be here in the room
29:13because the energy is so high.
29:15There's so many powerful black women in this room from Hollywood.
29:18Actresses, directors, agents, lawyers, directors.
29:23It's a good feeling.
29:24Black girl magic all over.
29:25And, you know, it's funny that you mentioned that
29:27because we've been asking everyone,
29:28what does black girl magic mean to them?
29:30What does it mean to you?
29:32To me, black girl magic is the brilliance,
29:35the strength, and the beauty that black women have all the time.
29:39Regardless if it's dark, if it's light, if it's hard,
29:42if they're living in grace,
29:44they always carry it.
29:46And they are magnificent because of it.
29:49Oh, I love that.
29:49That was very eloquent.
29:51I need to recycle that answer myself.
29:53Now, you've been in this industry, you know, some time.
29:56You've interviewed everyone.
29:57Yes.
29:57Who are you looking forward to seeing, though?
30:00You know what?
30:00Debbie Allen, because I think about growing up watching Fame,
30:05I think about all her Amistad,
30:08all the Grey's Anatomies,
30:11you know, all the Shondaland projects.
30:13She's just amazing to me.
30:15And when we put together her tribute video,
30:18to think of all the work that she's done
30:20and her legacy of, you know,
30:22choreographing the Academy Awards,
30:24the Black Nutcracker,
30:25all these things, like, she's incredible.
30:28So you don't have many people that are renaissance in that way
30:31who do so many things.
30:32So you and I love people like that.
30:35Absolutely love.
30:36So I want to meet her.
30:37Me too.
30:38I want to meet her.
30:38And I want to,
30:39part of me wants to recreate scenes from Fame,
30:41but I don't think management would really appreciate that.
30:43We should have sticks like Fame costs.
30:45Here's where you earn it.
30:47Emile, thank you so very much for taking the time to stop by.
30:50Thank you for having me.
30:50And I'll see you a little bit later on in the ballroom.
30:53Don't go anywhere at S.S. Live.
30:54You know Tracee Ellis Ross?
30:55She is one of our honorees.
30:57Well, we have put together our favorite Black-ish moments.
30:59Take a look.
31:12My favorite moment.
31:14Oh, man.
31:14The youngest daughter.
31:15I think she has the best comedic timing of life.
31:18Just side-eyeing every adult in every situation.
31:21They went to church.
31:22And they went for the first time.
31:23And they were like,
31:24Oh, this church is dope.
31:25It's cool.
31:26They got a guitar, a live beer.
31:28It was hilarious.
31:28The episode that they talked about whooping.
31:31It's like, no, sometimes
31:32that child needs to be tapped just a little bit.
31:35They reenacted Harriet Tubman and the teacher was Harriet Tubman.
31:39And she was in character like the entire time.
31:44Not only did it make me happy, but I probably screamed like 18 times.
31:48The N-word episode.
31:50That episode was so gold.
31:52It was just a moment that I could really relate to.
31:55They kind of touch upon real issues in a very creative way.
32:00For them to even have a show called Black-ish is just a lot in itself.
32:04And when you watch it, it's just really probably one of the most entertaining shows on TV right now.
32:10I love Black-ish.
32:17Our mother recognized our artistic gifts very early on in life.
32:22And as far back as I can remember, Debbie was dancing.
32:25I just can't remember a time when she wasn't.
32:27There's not many people like Debbie Allen can say,
32:31I'm a wife.
32:33I'm a mother.
32:34I'm a choreographer.
32:35I'm an actress in television, Broadway, and movies.
32:39Everything.
32:40I saw her first in Ragtime.
32:44You know, it was rare to see an African-American woman beautiful in a situation like that.
32:48In a character like that.
32:50I'd never seen it before.
32:51From a different world to Amistad to even Shonda shows,
32:55every single piece of work that she puts out comes from the heart.
33:00She's extremely empowering, obviously, as a woman of color in this industry.
33:04But to command yourself with respect and humility and grace and honor.
33:08Working with Debbie on Empire was like sharing some hot grits and butter and bacon with my sister.
33:16I think for me, she brought me to the series because I am her.
33:20She understands homophobia in the African-American community.
33:26She understands what it's like to be a black person of existence.
33:31When I met Debbie, I was 15 years old.
33:35Debbie's school, it was the first time I was surrounded by people that looked like me.
33:38She does not say you have to be a certain shape or a certain size or of a certain culture.
33:44She takes them all.
33:46I think it's Debbie's development in theater that creates her staying power.
33:51To have so many credits to your name, to take on so many roles,
33:56and to do that decade after decade, that's legendary to me.
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