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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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00:00Hello, hello. You are watching Essence Live, coming to you live from the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles for Essence's 9th Annual Black Women Hollywood Luncheon.
00:09I'm your host, Dana Blair, and my girl, Lala, has a very special guest up there on the red carpet. Who do you have, Lala?
00:15Well, only my best friend in the whole wide world, Kelly Rowland.
00:19We do this.
00:19We do this. So I said this feels like girlfriends just hanging out.
00:23It does.
00:24Having lunch and just motivating and inspiring each other.
00:27Yes.
00:27How does this event make you feel?
00:28Exactly that. And not just that, but, you know, I think during the course of a year, people get, like, just a lot goes out.
00:37You know what I mean?
00:38And I feel like this event pours back into us as women, especially women in the industry, because we're so busy giving so much of ourselves.
00:45And it's really awesome to see everybody be so supportive. A sense of camaraderie and fellowship is always a plus.
00:51Yeah, so the hashtag is Black Girl Magic.
00:54Absolutely.
00:54What is Black Girl Magic to you?
00:56Black Girl Magic to me is, I just feel like we got it all when it comes to the sway of our hips, to the way we speak, to the way we, everything about us is Black Girl Magic.
01:10I didn't realize I'm tall. I'm like, you're tall.
01:14Today. I got these good old Brian Atwoods on.
01:16All right, tell us about the outfit, because people want to know about the outfit.
01:19I don't know what I have on.
01:20Well, you look hot.
01:21Thank you. You look hot. Can we please talk about my best friend's curve? She's so hot.
01:26All right, so we're going to go in soon and enjoy the event. I love you.
01:29I love you, too, best friend.
01:30All right, Dana.
01:32Thank you so much, Lala.
01:34We are going to continue to have exclusive interviews on the red carpet with some of the biggest names in entertainment.
01:39And if you see something you like, of course, say something.
01:42Use the hashtag Black Woman in Hollywood to join in on all of the fun.
01:45Joining me right now, someone who kind of likes to bother me around the office,
01:49but new to the Essence family, our digital content director, Anselm Rook.
01:53How are you?
01:54I'm doing well. How are you?
01:55I'm fabulous. So this is your first time here.
01:57Yes, yes. I'm a virgin to this.
01:59Talk to me. How are you feeling?
02:01It is amazing. So many beautiful women. I'm sorry to my wife at home.
02:05I'm eye cheating, but it's amazing.
02:07You're repping for the fellas out here. You're repping.
02:09I'm a little, you know, a little dapper.
02:10You're doing well. Stop, stop.
02:11Now, did it take you a long time to pick out your outfit, or did your wife pick out your outfit?
02:15No, no, no. I did it all myself.
02:16You did it all yourself.
02:17Sure you did. Mm-hmm.
02:18So we've been talking a lot about Black Girl Magic and all of the energy and having all of these powerful women in this room.
02:24What does it mean to you?
02:25Well, Black Girl Magic, I mean, being raised by a single mother who raised me and three siblings, like, that was the epitome of what Black Girl Magic is.
02:32Seeing my wife, and one day when we have kids, and raising a daughter or a son, and just seeing that ability.
02:37But what it means to me definitely is just the power and the essence of what Black women are.
02:41Awesome. Thank you so very much. Thank you for joining us.
02:43I'll see you a little bit later on in the ballroom, and I want you to absolutely enjoy.
02:46Anyway, let's head back upstairs to see who our correspondent, Lala Anthony, has on the carpet.
02:50Who do you have, girl? Right here.
02:53Okay.
02:53Hey! All right, so we're on the red carpet. Miss Lawrence is here with me. Now let's talk fashion.
02:58Have you seen it?
02:59Fashion.
02:59Have you seen it? Like, who do you feel like is, have you seen anyone who's really bringing it?
03:03Oh, I think everyone looks absolutely splendid tonight, especially yourself.
03:08You better not just be saying that because I'm standing right here.
03:10No, I'm serious. I love you in a nude.
03:12Aw, thank you.
03:12I do.
03:13Thank you. And I wore my hair straight. I heard y'all were saying that Lala needs to stop doing waves all the time.
03:17She needs to change it. So look, now what did you guys say about this? It's perfectly straight.
03:21I think it looks good. It's a very classic look. You know, the mermaid waves, I love a mermaid wave,
03:25but I think they just got way too redundant all at one time.
03:28Okay, well, see, I took your advice.
03:30All right, so tell me, who are you looking forward to seeing here today?
03:34I'm excited to celebrate Nina Shaw tonight. I think she is a remarkable African-American woman,
03:38and it's by no surprise that she's being celebrated.
03:40Not just Nina Shaw. I think that African women, period, in Hollywood have been such remarkable spirits
03:49in a space right now where, you know, we are, as a culture, we're in a very sensitive space right now.
03:57And I think saluting and celebrating and honoring African-American women who are so integral
04:03in upholding African-American families is very important.
04:07And that's why I think it's important that we support these events and come out to these events
04:11and just support each other. I feel like it's, we're like family, just hanging out and having a big lunch.
04:16Charity begins at home. Charity begins at home.
04:19And, you know, there's been a lot of talk about the lack of diversity with the Oscars,
04:23but I believe that it shouldn't just be a conversation about the Oscars.
04:26There's a lack of diversity within our own community.
04:30And, again, I think that we have to start addressing issues right at home and with ourselves on all ends of the spectrum.
04:36Totally agree. Thank you so much for saying that.
04:38All right. Well, you have a great time inside.
04:40I'll see you in a minute. And, Dana, we're throwing it over to you.
04:42Thank you. Thank you, Lala.
04:44Thank you so much, Lala. Thank you so much, Ms. Lawrence. I like you here. Yes.
04:47Joining me right now is Kelly McQuarrie. I wanted to make sure I pronounced that right.
04:51How are you? You look absolutely stunning.
04:53Oh, thank you very much.
04:54The TV does you no justice. In person, you're absolutely breathtaking.
04:58Oh, thank you. Very much.
04:59So this is your second year at Black Women in Hollywood?
05:01Yes.
05:02Yes.
05:02So what made you say, I have to come back?
05:06Well, you know, last year, I don't know what it was.
05:08I just thought, I want to be in that room.
05:10It was my first year living in L.A., really, and working here.
05:13And I was like, that's a community that I want to be a part of and see how it works on the inside.
05:20And I got to come last year, and I was like, this is better than I could have ever imagined.
05:23It's more inspiring. It's even more warm.
05:27There's even more solidarity.
05:28There's even more sisterhood.
05:30There's even more lifting each other up.
05:32And I just wanted to be a part of that again this year for my own benefit and for the benefit of the people coming up behind us.
05:39Yes.
05:39And there are so many incredible women here in this town and elsewhere telling stories.
05:47And we've been here all along.
05:50And it's time, you know, it's an opportunity for us to celebrate each other.
05:55And there's no place I would rather be today.
05:57Definitely.
05:57Well, it's hard to explain to the Essence Live audience what the energy in this room feels like.
06:03Yeah.
06:03And I have to ask you, you know, you mentioned it was your first time coming last year and seeing so many wonderful women.
06:09But who are your idols?
06:10Who inspires you in this industry?
06:13Well, gosh, you know, it's funny.
06:17I feel like I'm a little bit of a late bloomer.
06:20Like I got to this town a little bit late.
06:22But along the way, I was a theater professional in New York for so many years that I came up with.
06:29The people that I came up with are my inspiration.
06:32So, you know, I'm thinking of Katori Hall and Dominique Mariso and Issa Davis and McNamee Jones and Teadra Aziza.
06:39These are like my theater friends back home.
06:41And then here in town, Aja Naomi King and Jerrica Hinton.
06:47And then, of course, you know, the ones who came, Niecy Nash.
06:50I mean, I could go on.
06:51Yvette Nicole Brown, Oprah, Shonda, Debbie Allen, Felicia Rochelle.
06:56Oh, my God, Debbie Allen is a theater baby.
06:58Having her being honored is amazing.
07:00Yes.
07:01I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cut you off.
07:02No, no, it's okay.
07:03I'm like, there's just so much happening.
07:04Thank you so very, very much for taking the time to speak with us and joining us.
07:08And enjoy the rest of the event.
07:10Thank you so much.
07:11And now I'm going to welcome in, if you wouldn't mind, passing the microphone along.
07:15We have so much action happening here in the lounge.
07:18Joining me now, Essence Live, is Miss Margo Bingham.
07:23So much is going on.
07:24Everybody's catching up.
07:25I really wish all of you guys could be here.
07:27Hi, Margo.
07:28How are you?
07:28I'm fabulous.
07:29How are you?
07:30You look beautiful.
07:31I'm trying to give a little zhuzh.
07:32I mean, it's a lot of zhuzh.
07:34It's in the perfect way, yes.
07:35It's different for me, but I'm wearing Fee Noel.
07:38She's a very talented African-American designer in Brooklyn.
07:41She's absolutely amazing.
07:42But who are you wearing?
07:42I'm wearing Byron Lars, which is also an African-American designer from Harlem.
07:48New York's in the house.
07:49New York, what up?
07:50Now, is this your first time attending Black Women in Hollywood?
07:52This is actually my second luncheon.
07:54But I have the honor of being in Essence this month, so that's very, very exciting for me.
07:58And what was that feeling like?
08:00Well, I mean, growing up on the magazine, it's kind of unbelievable.
08:03I remember a couple of the speeches last year, and it made me cry, and it was super inspiring.
08:07Every single time that I come to this luncheon, I feel, I walk out feeling a million bucks.
08:12Feeling powered.
08:12Yeah.
08:13It's just a different kind of way.
08:15And it's the way that we should go and enter every day of our lives, but it's always nice
08:20to have a little bit of a reminder.
08:21So, yeah.
08:22And we've been asking everyone, because we're, of course, supporting this platform of Black
08:26Girl Magic.
08:27What does that mean to you, Black Girl Magic?
08:30I think it's just being able to stand in your own skin, no matter what that is, in your own
08:34shape, and feel empowered and beautiful every single day.
08:36That's magic.
08:37That is absolutely magical.
08:39And is there anyone you're looking forward to seeing today?
08:41Everybody that's here.
08:43Everybody.
08:44I just talked to a girlfriend of mine that we ran into, and I said, everybody literally
08:47looks like a million bucks today.
08:49It's awesome.
08:50Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with us.
08:52Enjoy the event.
08:53Thank you so much.
08:53Have a good one.
08:54Thank you so much, Margo.
08:55And now, joining me next is one of my personal heroes and icons that I look up to, Miss Debra
09:02Lee.
09:02How are you?
09:03I'm good.
09:03How are you?
09:04I'm fabulous.
09:05If you might hold your mic.
09:06I'm so happy to meet you and see you face and face.
09:08As a former marketing person now on Air Talent, I look up to you on so many different levels.
09:14You are Black Girl Magic.
09:16I appreciate that.
09:17No.
09:17I'm so sorry.
09:18I'm going to say I'm just so happy to be here today.
09:21What brings you here to Black Women in Hollywood?
09:23Well, this is one of my favorite events of the year.
09:26Essence does such a great job every year.
09:29So emotional.
09:30You know, we always, it's so important that we pay tribute to each other.
09:35And especially in a year like we've been through with Oscar So White and the Academy Awards not
09:42paying tribute to people of color.
09:45We have to keep things like this going.
09:48You know, and Essence has been doing this for years.
09:51They've been in the forefront.
09:52And I'm just happy to be here to celebrate the honorees, Debbie Allen, Nina Shaw, you know, all good friends of mine.
10:03So it's going to be a great afternoon.
10:05And I know every year I leave here in tears.
10:08I really leave tears.
10:10Good tears.
10:10Good tears, but tears that, you know, it's too bad we can't get together more often.
10:17Tears that, you know, we struggle so much in Hollywood and in other industries.
10:24And, you know, someone said to me today, this feels like a movement.
10:29And I think it is because we're not just talking about diversity among ourselves.
10:34The whole industry is talking about it.
10:37And that's what's important.
10:38And that's what's important.
10:39So hopefully more will come out of this.
10:42But we need to continue to hold each other close.
10:45Definitely.
10:46And, Debra, thank you so much for being a pioneer in that conversation and for taking the time to speak with me.
10:50I want to head back upstairs to see what Lala Anthony has going on on the carpet.
10:56Yes, it's a lot going on over here, hanging out with one of my faves.
10:59Estelle is here.
11:00How are you doing?
11:01I'm doing great.
11:02So, come on, let's talk.
11:03What does it mean to be here at this amazing luncheon supporting each other?
11:07Oh, my God.
11:08It's an amazing room.
11:09Like, I never get invited.
11:10And this year I'm invited.
11:12No, I'm invited.
11:13I'm just always on the road somewhere.
11:15Right.
11:15This year I'm a guest with AT&T.
11:17So I'm just excited to even be allowed in the room.
11:19This is an encouraging room, you know?
11:21Definitely, definitely.
11:22And the hashtag of this event is Black Girl Magic.
11:24So tell me, Estelle, what does Black Girl Magic mean to you?
11:27It's just your thing.
11:28It's just yours.
11:29It's just who we are.
11:30I feel like we are the only type of woman, I want to say, that has been able to face as many adversities as we've been able to face and still come up shining, you know?
11:40Oh, definitely, definitely.
11:41So, yeah, that's us.
11:42All right.
11:42And what's coming up for you?
11:43What can we expect?
11:44New record, more TV.
11:46Steven Universe just hit its third season, which is great.
11:49It's a cartoon I'm watching.
11:49Nice.
11:50And I'm working on all that stuff and producing and doing more behind the scenes.
11:53So a lot of work.
11:54That's why I'm here.
11:55That's amazing.
11:56All right.
11:56So I'll see you inside.
11:57All right.
11:58All right, Dana, checking back in with you.
12:00Thank you so much, Lala.
12:02Now joining me, she really needs no introduction, the fabulous Miss Lorraine Toussaint.
12:07How are you?
12:07I'm wonderful.
12:08Wonderful.
12:09Thank you so much for joining us.
12:10I remember seeing you last year and I was like, wait, wait, can I find out what's happening in Orange is the New Black?
12:15I know.
12:15Wait, wait, can I get a plot twist?
12:16Wait, wait.
12:17And, of course, you threw us all for a loop.
12:19But tell us, what are you up to now?
12:21I'm doing Rosewood on Fox with the lovely Morris Chestnut.
12:25And we're in our first season and doing really well.
12:28And how's that journey been?
12:30It's just been terrific.
12:31You know, we premiere next Wednesday night for the second half of the season.
12:36And the numbers are great.
12:38The audiences are building.
12:39People love the show.
12:40He is as fine as that man is, is as kind and lovely as he is.
12:47Yes, definitely.
12:48And so I'm having a ball.
12:50Awesome.
12:51And this is not your first time here.
12:53You've been several times to a black woman in Hollywood.
12:55What keeps you coming to this event year after year?
12:58Oh, gosh.
12:58Black women, I grew up with Essence.
13:00We all grew up with Essence.
13:01We came into our womanhood with Essence oftentimes guiding us.
13:05So that's one reason.
13:07And every year we honor women here that aren't necessarily honored elsewhere in the way in
13:14which we get to do it for them.
13:16And so I'm here for Nina Shaw this year, who's been my attorney forever.
13:19And, oh, that fabulous Tracy Ross.
13:22Oh, my God.
13:23She's like a force of comedy nature.
13:25And we've been talking a lot about black girl magic here at Essence.
13:28What does that mean to you?
13:30Oh, gosh.
13:30Black girl magic.
13:31We bring to the table a special kind of soulfulness, a kind of loving that is black women.
13:38Can't nobody love you like a black woman love you.
13:40I've heard that.
13:42So, you know, and in fact, that's why I started my own website called Everyday Lovely by Lorraine
13:46in celebration of women, in celebration of black women, because we are lovely creatures.
13:53Thank you so very much.
13:53I mean, I can sit here and listen to you speak all day.
13:56That was absolutely lovely.
13:57Thank you so very much for taking the time to speak with us.
13:59You're so beautiful.
14:00Thank you kindly and enjoy the event.
14:02Thank you, Lorraine.
14:02Thank you so much.
14:04Don't go anywhere, Essence Live, because joining me now, I know you know this.
14:08This face, this fabulous, beautiful, talented actress who takes over our screens each and
14:12every week on Empire.
14:14Joining me now, actress and songstress, Soraya.
14:18Hi, how are you?
14:20Yes, dress and shoes come through.
14:22Yes, looking beautiful.
14:24Who are you wearing?
14:25I'm wearing gloves of Malabello.
14:27Absolutely gorgeous.
14:28And this is your first time here at Black Women in Hollywood?
14:31Very first time.
14:31Talk to me about it.
14:32How are you feeling all this magic and energy happening in the room?
14:35Oh, my God.
14:35It's so much magic here.
14:37I go to a, I've been going to a lot of awards shows, you know, and ceremonies and things,
14:43and this is just so warm in here.
14:45Yeah.
14:45Talk to me, Empire.
14:47It's a phenomenon, if you will.
14:49What has it been like being a part of that journey?
14:52For me, it's been life-changing.
14:54Not only to be a part of something that's so successful, but it completely 360'd my life
15:01personally.
15:02So it's really, really amazing.
15:03Now, who are you looking forward to seeing in this room?
15:06There's a lot to see in this room.
15:07Who are you looking forward to seeing?
15:08I'm already, like, right next to Kelly Rowland, and I'm, like, freaking out.
15:12Like, everyone.
15:14Tracee Ellis Ross, I haven't met her yet.
15:15She seems so amazing.
15:18So many people.
15:19Now, who would you look up to and call your idol in this industry?
15:23Or someone who may have influenced you and said, you know what, yeah, I really am going
15:27to pursue this dream.
15:28You know, I would definitely say an idol, I think, would be Beyonce.
15:34I feel, in so many ways, beyond the surface, I feel like she's such a genuine, I just met
15:40her, and she, like, blessed my whole life.
15:41No, but seriously, she's such a hard worker, and she takes her craft seriously, and then
15:47you go to, like, when it comes down to, like, rumors and stuff, she doesn't say anything.
15:52Like, she's just so graceful.
15:54So graceful.
15:55And that's, like, so much inspiration.
15:57So, yeah.
15:58Awesome.
15:59Thank you so very much for joining us.
16:00It was an absolute honor and a pleasure to get a chance to speak with you and meet with
16:03you.
16:03Nice to meet you.
16:04Thank you so much.
16:05All right.
16:05Now, joining me, I don't know if some of you follow Essence on social media or you've been
16:09paying attention, but we have a short film contest where we, of course, we're not just
16:13speaking about the next generation.
16:15We are actually nurturing the next generation of filmmakers and African-American women who
16:19are behind the scenes, and she is now joining me.
16:22It's, like, our big Essence Live reveal.
16:24Hi, how are you?
16:26Hey, guys.
16:27Hello, you look fabulous.
16:28Tell me your name and where are you from?
16:31Well, I'm Trinidadian.
16:32I'm from Trinidad.
16:33I represent.
16:34Yes.
16:34What's your name?
16:35I am.
16:35My name is Faise Francis.
16:37Very nice to meet you, Naise.
16:38Now, tell me, what encouraged you or inspired you to say, you know what, I'm going to submit
16:42my short film for this contest?
16:45You know what?
16:45I have to give a shout-out to my homegirl, Ajo.
16:48Mm-hmm.
16:48Ajo is the reason that I submitted my short film.
16:51She was like, check this out, and she texted it to me.
16:54Uh-huh.
16:54And then I saw the text, and I was like, I could totally do this, and I did it.
16:58And then I thought nothing of it because I was like, it's Essence.
17:01It's a national platform, you know?
17:02Uh-huh.
17:03And then here you are.
17:04Okay.
17:05Well, I want you to take your time.
17:06Enjoy the room.
17:07Congratulations.
17:08We're going to see a little bit more from you and your film later on.
17:11And I want to go back upstairs and see who does Lala have on the carpet?
17:15What's going on up there, girl?
17:16So I'm hanging out with one of my faves, Mara Brockfield, who to me is the definition
17:19of just a powerful, amazing, strong woman who I admire.
17:23So I just wanted to talk to you.
17:23Thank you, Lala.
17:24I appreciate that.
17:25Of course, I want to talk to you about, what does this event mean to you and being here
17:28surrounded by so many amazing women?
17:31You know, it means safety.
17:32And I think every, it feels, it means reflection.
17:37It means being seen.
17:37And I remember that's how I felt every month when I would look for that magazine, my mother's
17:42magazine, that then became my magazine.
17:44Right.
17:44And then to have a place that's really live and in person, and also to bump in to people
17:50who you admire.
17:51Some people in our busy lives, we don't get to see very often.
17:53Like even you.
17:54I haven't seen you in a while.
17:55Right.
17:55And to be able to tell you, congratulations, I'm proud of you, all that you've done.
17:59Talk about Powerhouse, there's a lot of power in here.
18:01And it reminds you how strong you are in the collective when sometimes you have to go back
18:07out in the world as an individual.
18:09Yeah.
18:09It's like a refresher.
18:10Like after this, you feel confident again.
18:12You're like ready to take it on.
18:13And it just feels like girlfriends hanging out, having a good time.
18:16It does.
18:17And going back to the safety, you know, I know you know this as a parent.
18:20One of the things I've learned being a mother is that's one of my biggest roles is to make
18:24them feel safe so they can become who they are.
18:27Not who I want them to be, but who they are.
18:29Yes, absolutely.
18:30Well, it's always a pleasure seeing you.
18:32Oh, you too.
18:32I will see you inside in a minute.
18:34All right.
18:34Gorgeous.
18:34Take care.
18:35Okay, you too.
18:35See you in a sec.
18:36Oh, I got it.
18:37I got it.
18:37I'm handling it all.
18:38It's all right.
18:39Okay.
18:41Well, hello, hello.
18:43I'm back.
18:44And as I mentioned to you that this room is super, super busy, but Lala, I see someone
18:47else has now joined you on the carpet.
18:49Who do you have now?
18:50My girl, Anika Noni Brozy, are hanging out with me.
18:52All right, so talk to me about this event.
18:54Like, what does this event mean to it?
18:56You know, this event is sort of everything when you think about the season.
18:59Because it is the time where we get to come and say, thank you for what you've done.
19:03Right.
19:03I love whatever about you.
19:06And to celebrate each other.
19:08To hug each other.
19:09Not with a fake air kiss.
19:11Not good.
19:11To really get it in.
19:12Right.
19:12No, you're right.
19:13But also professionally to make connections in ways that sometimes we're not allowed to
19:18do.
19:19Very true.
19:19Very true.
19:20I feel like that when I'm here as well.
19:22I definitely feel that.
19:22Now, talk to us about some of your upcoming projects.
19:25I know I've seen you lately.
19:26Well, I'm doing a little bit of power.
19:29I was like, I've seen you lately.
19:31Yes, power.
19:31Which I'm very, very excited about.
19:33It's a very different role for me.
19:35And so that'll start, when does the season start?
19:37June?
19:37July?
19:37July.
19:38July.
19:38So that'll start then.
19:40I'm in Roots.
19:41I'm playing Kizzy.
19:42Oh, that's going to be amazing.
19:42And that will come out on Memorial Day, I think, in May.
19:45So.
19:46So excited.
19:47That's exciting.
19:48And I'm just, I'm purchasing rights to books and just trying to do some different things
19:53that come from another angle.
19:54All right.
19:54Well, nothing but love and respect.
19:56And I'll see you inside in a minute.
19:58Good to see you.
19:58All right.
19:58I'll take that.
19:59All right.
19:59See you in a second.
20:00Dana, back to you.
20:01Thank you so much, Lala.
20:02SS Live, we had, of course, the opportunity to sit down and speak with African-American actresses
20:06here in the Hollywood and entertainment community and see what is it like being a black
20:10woman in Hollywood today.
20:11Take a look.
20:12Take a look.
20:42There are a lot of preconceived notions about what it is to be black or what it is to be
20:47a black woman.
20:48And I think it's really cool when you show up and you get to introduce people to an entirely
20:53different way of viewing being black, being a woman, and being an actress.
20:59I've been doing it my entire life.
21:01I started very young when I was about four, doing extra work on TV shows.
21:05I saw people on the screen and I just thought, well, I want to be one of those people.
21:09I hadn't really thought about the color of the people.
21:13I can remember a few times in my career where I've been told straight out that I couldn't
21:17have a lead role because I was black, but that I would be given the best friend role,
21:21you know, and that they would beef it up more for me or, you know, been told that blacks
21:24don't sell overseas.
21:25So, you know, it's just not something that's realistic.
21:28It's been really fun to be an actress in this time where it seems that everyone has an eye
21:33that's focused on diversity and they're positively working toward creating more of it.
21:38We have different hues, shapes, and sizes.
21:41And if I can do my part to bring a little element of truth of who we are and broaden the spectrum
21:47of our identity, you know, I feel like my job is done.
21:55The era that I grew up in, which was the height of the civil rights movement, you just had
22:03this feeling of unlimited potential.
22:06And I don't ever recall someone saying to me, you can't be that, you can't do that,
22:11you can't dream that.
22:12So I think I dreamt big.
22:15I went into the entertainment department of a very large law firm, and our main client
22:20was Norman Lear, and he was producing really groundbreaking television at the time.
22:26One of the early films that I was involved in was a movie stand and deliver, and he made
22:31a very lucrative deal for the filmmakers.
22:34It just launched my career for me in a very special way.
22:37She's been recognized, you know, as the entertainment lawyer of the year.
22:40That's a difficult thing to do for any lawyer, in particular for an African-American woman.
22:46People say, oh, you know, you're F. Gary Gray, you're the guy who did the Italian job, you're
22:49the guy who did this, and you did that, and Australia Compton, and all this stuff.
22:52And, you know, they don't know the strength and the power that's behind me, and I love
22:57all my representatives.
22:58But Nina, she's the first one I call.
23:00Nina will fight tooth and nail for you.
23:03She will fight strategically for you.
23:05She came home with me to Kenya last year, and I shared her with my family, and for her
23:12to be interested, eager, and ready to understand my cultural context is really something that
23:18I highly value, because then I know that as she represents me, she has a full understanding
23:24of who I am and where I'm from.
23:26When I was making the transition from being a publicist to being a filmmaker, I was hearing
23:29a lot of people say, don't put your own money into your movies, but no one wanted to give
23:33me money for my black women movies.
23:35And Nina was the first person to say, besides my mom, you can spend your own money, and you
23:40can do it your way.
23:41The one thing that warmed my heart and really moved me about Nina is she's a representative
23:45who believes in the dreams of her artists.
23:48Welcome back to Essence Live, coming to you from the Beverly Wiltshire in Los Angeles for
23:56Essence's Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon.
23:58I'm your host, Dana Blair, and joining me now is one of our honorees, looking fabulous.
24:03You just saw her package.
24:05Miss Nina Shaw, how are you?
24:06Oh, I am so over the top happy to be here.
24:09It is an absolute honor to have you here.
24:11What did you think when Essence said, hey, we want to honor you at Black Women in Hollywood
24:15this year?
24:15I said, are you sure?
24:18You know, I'm just one of those people who toil behind the cameras.
24:21No, but you are a mover and a shaker.
24:23We just interviewed Lorraine Toussaint, and she was like, yep, Nina Shaw.
24:26Love me some Nina Shaw.
24:27So how does it feel to be standing in this room of magic today?
24:31Well, magic is a good word because it feels magical.
24:34But more than anything else, it feels like family.
24:38It feels like coming home.
24:39And I think that's because Essence has been home to so many of us for so many years.
24:44I always say that Essence was the first place where I felt that I was a pretty black girl.
24:48Oh, wow.
24:49That's magical.
24:50And we're talking a lot about black girl magic.
24:53We're also premiering a snippet from the Black Girl Magic documentary that we're working on.
24:57But what does that phrase mean to you, black girl magic?
25:00I think it tells the rest of the world something that we've always known about each other,
25:04that we're special.
25:05And we're special because we're beautiful and we're smart.
25:10And God knows we have fortitude.
25:13So black girl magic to me means just getting out there and doing it every day
25:18and not letting anything get you down.
25:20Thank you so much, Nina.
25:21Congratulations on being an honoree, and I'll see you in the ballroom a little bit later.
25:24Thank you, Dana.
25:25All right, so let's head upstairs and check in with Lala Anthony on the red carpet.
25:28Yes, I'm up here hanging out with one of my faves, Tia.
25:31We are hanging out, talking, gossiping.
25:33So tell me about just how it feels to be at this event
25:36and just surrounded by so many amazing women here.
25:38Oh, my gosh, it feels amazing.
25:39You know, this is one event that I look forward to coming to every single year.
25:44I always say this is a quote-unquote Hollywood event, but it doesn't feel Hollywood.
25:48It feels like girlfriends hanging out.
25:49It does, and, you know, it's very tangible.
25:52You can walk up to the women that you're inspired by, say, Oprah Winfrey
25:56or who's being honored tonight, Debbie Allen, and just say, I love you.
26:00And then she looks you in your eye, and she says, I love you, too.
26:03You know what I mean?
26:03And it's just so inspiring.
26:05It's such a great, great luncheon.
26:07And the hashtag is Black Girl Magic, and that's kind of what the Black Girl Magic is, right?
26:11Yes.
26:11Who would you define Black Girl Magic as?
26:13I would define Black Girl Magic as a beautiful black woman walking into a room,
26:20looking fly as hell, with her standing tall, with her shoulders back,
26:25and saying, you know what?
26:28I got this.
26:29I am confident.
26:30I am beautiful.
26:31No matter what the circumstances are around me, I got this.
26:37Absolutely.
26:37Yeah.
26:38I can't wait to go inside and have fun and hang.
26:40It's so nice seeing you.
26:41You look beautiful.
26:42You, too.
26:42Okay.
26:43All right.
26:43Bye.
26:44All right, Dan.
26:44What's going on?
26:47Take another sec, okay?
26:48All right.
26:49Thank you so much, Lala.
26:50Joining me now, I have Lori Thomas, who you are the director behind the Black Girl Magic documentary
26:55that's going to have a little sneak peek tonight.
26:58How are you?
26:58I'm great.
26:59I'm really great.
27:00Thanks for having me.
27:02What was it like when SN said, yes, you're going to get to direct this experience, this
27:07movement?
27:08Well, I feel like it was so meaningful and just such a moving experience.
27:14I loved every minute of it.
27:16I feel like I got a chance to document a young Black girl who's an emerging artist and activist
27:23and to really put her story out there.
27:26And what is it like being in this room?
27:28This is your first time at Black Women in Hollywood.
27:30You have to be feeling something.
27:32I'm a little nervous.
27:33Oh, don't be nervous.
27:34This is family.
27:36Debbie Allen's here.
27:37I saw her.
27:38She's incredible.
27:39I grew up watching her work.
27:41And just to be in this room with all these amazing Black women has been really powerful.
27:47Well, thank you so much, Lori, for joining us.
27:49Right now, we're going to head back upstairs.
27:50Lala, who do you have joining you on the carpet?
27:52So, I'm hanging out with Latoya.
27:55We're hanging out having a good time.
27:56Yes, we are.
27:57Hey, gorgeous.
27:58Let's talk about this hair because I'm obsessed.
28:00I love it.
28:00You know what?
28:01I wanted to do something different.
28:02I mean, everybody has seen me in my black swoop, as they like to call it.
28:06That's my favorite.
28:07I think that's my favorite hairstyle.
28:08I love it.
28:09I love it.
28:10It's who I am.
28:11Right.
28:12But I wanted to do something different in particular for the album.
28:15I wanted a new look for my upcoming album.
28:17And I said, why not?
28:18Why not blonde?
28:19And then let's cut it off.
28:20It looks so good.
28:22It looks so, so good.
28:23So, let's talk about some of your upcoming projects.
28:24I know you have your show now.
28:26It's been all over Instagram.
28:28I do.
28:28Congratulations on that.
28:29It's called Here We Go Again.
28:30It's on TV1.
28:31It airs every Tuesday at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
28:35And I'm excited about this role.
28:37It's my first time playing a major, like a major role in a comedy.
28:41And it's been exciting so far.
28:45I love the storyline of the show.
28:46You're funny, though.
28:46You're funny.
28:46You're funny.
28:47You're definitely funny.
28:48You can pull it off.
28:49But I'm excited about that.
28:51And like I said before, my single that I have coming out, I think towards the top of next month,
28:56my birthday month, March, I'm going to release that thing.
29:00Yeah, we're ready for some new music.
29:01We're ready.
29:02We're like itching for it.
29:03I'm so proud of you, by the way.
29:05I see this.
29:06She's doing everything.
29:07Remember that first phone call we had?
29:09And he was like, yo, I want to get into this acting business.
29:12I want to do it.
29:12How do I do it?
29:13Yes.
29:13I gave a few numbers to call.
29:16And this thing has outrun.
29:20I'm like, how are you doing this?
29:21I'm so proud of you.
29:22Well, same with you.
29:23I'm always rooting for you.
29:24Even if we don't talk all the time, I'm cheering you on and rooting for you.
29:27Thank you so much.
29:28All right.
29:28So I'll see you inside.
29:29All right, baby.
29:30See you in a second, okay?
29:31All right.
29:31All right.
29:32Okay.
29:32Take it.
29:35Hey.
29:36Nicole is here.
29:37So I'm working behind the scenes today, hanging out.
29:40Hi.
29:41How's everything?
29:42Great.
29:42All right.
29:43So let's talk for a minute.
29:44The hashtag of this event, come on, stand over here, is Black Girl Magic.
29:47So tell me what does that mean to you?
29:49Because you're magical to me.
29:51And I want to know what does Black Girl Magic mean to you?
29:54Black Girl Magic, I think, is a combination of our resilience,
30:00our steadfastness, and how, believe it or not, we really do look out for each other.
30:09Right.
30:09You know, whether it's in our own communities, or our children, and especially events like
30:15this, it's like, my magic is supported.
30:19My husband's over there.
30:20Stop it.
30:22What's up?
30:23My magic is supported at events like this, because, you know, when one of us wins, we
30:27all win.
30:28And that's how it's been for me, my experience.
30:30Absolutely.
30:31I feel like it's just girls hanging out, supporting each other, and just having a good time.
30:35And seeing people that we don't get to see all the time, but we have so much love for.
30:38Well, thank you so much for coming over.
30:40I'll see you inside in a sec.
30:42Okay.
30:42All right.
30:42Okay.
30:51Holly!
30:53Hi, my love!
30:54Hey!
30:55How are you?
30:56I'm excellent!
30:57So I'm doing some behind-the-scenes stuff today.
30:59How's everything?
31:00It's good.
31:01You're looking great.
31:02Well, thank you.
31:02I feel good.
31:03Glad to be out of the house.
31:04Right.
31:04Like, we've got to get out.
31:05We've got to get out.
31:05So tell me about this event.
31:07What is your feelings behind how important this event is?
31:10Oh, I've been coming every year, and every year it gets a little bit more compelling.
31:15Right.
31:16It's a tearjerker.
31:18There's something about being in the room that you can't really put your finger on.
31:21But it's this gathering of women of power.
31:24I mean, we are so much more powerful than we give ourselves credit for.
31:28Absolutely.
31:28So that's what I take away from this event.
31:30And seeing people that you have so much love for, but you might not see all the time or
31:33talk to all the time.
31:34That's right.
31:35Like you.
31:35Like a reunion.
31:36It's like a girlfriend's reunion of all of us hanging out.
31:39Absolutely.
31:39And I bring my mom here to our annual mother-daughter date.
31:42I love your mom.
31:42And it's so much fun.
31:43I've got to give her a kiss inside.
31:44All right.
31:45So I'll see you in a minute.
31:45Thank you so much.
31:47All right.
31:48Hold on.
31:49I think we have...
31:50Oh, Meg!
31:52Hold on.
31:53Just give us a second.
31:54There you go.
31:55Hey!
31:58Hey, you!
31:59This is my best friend from Think Like a Man.
32:01How are you?
32:02How's everything?
32:03Oh, my God.
32:04So talk to me.
32:05Talk to me.
32:06What do you got going on?
32:06What's coming up?
32:07You're all over the place.
32:08I can't even keep up.
32:09I'm like, I've got to call Meg and just see what is going on.
32:12How's everything?
32:13It's amazing.
32:15Just finished on Code Black.
32:16Excited about that.
32:17I saw that on Instagram.
32:18You looked like you were having a good time.
32:19I was having a good time.
32:20I got to cut things open.
32:22I love that.
32:22Yeah.
32:22It was a good time.
32:23And the book?
32:24The book?
32:24Yeah.
32:25Third week on the bestsellers list.
32:27That's just amazing.
32:28I'm like, my mind is blown.
32:29That is amazing.
32:31Someone said they saw you recently, I think it might be at the One Church, just talking
32:34about it.
32:35And they said you were just magical and blew everybody away.
32:38So congratulations on that.
32:39Now, just a quick question.
32:40The hashtag for this is Black Girl Magic.
32:42Tell me, what does that mean to you?
32:44Oh, man.
32:45We are Black Girl Magic.
32:46You know, we're unicorns.
32:48We are the most exotic women in the world, in my opinion.
32:52And, you know, we, I don't know how to say it.
32:56I guess we're just magical because we're like unicorns.
32:59And we're exotic and strong and incredible and resilient.
33:03And even when all the odds are stacked up against us, we make it happen.
33:08Absolutely.
33:09And I think with grace, and I think without bitterness, but betterness.
33:14I love that.
33:15I love that.
33:15All right, Dana, back to you.
33:17I'll see you inside.
33:18Nice seeing you, babe.
33:18All right.
33:20Thank you so much, Lala.
33:21Joining me now, someone who's been waiting patiently with me, and we've just been chatting it up,
33:24Miss Vanessa Bell-Calloway.
33:25How are you?
33:26I'm fine.
33:27How are you?
33:27I'm fabulous.
33:28It's so good to see you here again this year.
33:30Yes.
33:30What brings you back to black women in Hollywood year after year?
33:33You know, this is a great event.
33:34It's one of my personal favorites of the whole year, not only Oscar season, but just of the whole year
33:38because it brings all of the, not only powerful, but beautiful and intelligent and creative and talented black women
33:45that make up so many facets of Hollywood, from directing, producing, to, you know, being agents and managers
33:51to the talent and musicians.
33:53And it's just great.
33:54It's always like an old home week to see everybody and hug and kiss.
33:58And it's a great fellowship.
33:59And we're talking a lot here at Essence about black girl magic and what that means, that empowerment.
34:05But what does that, what do those words mean to you, black girl magic?
34:07Well, I guess it's a new hashtag.
34:09It's a new hashtag.
34:09It's a new hashtag.
34:09It's a movement.
34:10It's a movement.
34:11And you know what?
34:12I mean, but it's about time because we're so multifaceted, so multidimensional.
34:16We can do so many things, and we're magical.
34:18Yes.
34:18You know, we know how to do from being a wife to a businesswoman, taking care of babies, going to the grocery store,
34:25and, you know, making a dress all in one day.
34:27In one day.
34:27So it's...
34:28Same time.
34:28That's magical.
34:29No, we are magical.
34:30And yeah, black girls, we do have a lot of good magic.
34:33Thank you so very much, Vanessa, for taking time to see us.
34:35And I'll see you inside the ballroom.
34:36You betcha.
34:37Thank you so much.
34:38Bye-bye.
34:38All right, and of course, Essence Live, don't go anywhere.
34:40We have more fabulous interviews.
34:41Joining me now is an actress who's been a part of the Essence family for quite some time.
34:46No stranger to television.
34:48Absolutely stunning mom, entrepreneur, overall just mega talent, Miss Garcelle Beauvais.
34:54How are you?
34:55Hello, gorgeous.
34:56You look beautiful.
34:57You look beautiful.
34:58Well, I could just get rid of these cars.
35:00I don't even need to do this anymore.
35:01How are you?
35:02I'm really great.
35:03Really fantastic.
35:04What brings you to this event year after year?
35:06Because I know it's one of your favorites.
35:07It's one of my favorites.
35:07The Incredible Women.
35:09I mean, this event is all about love.
35:11We're not competing for each other.
35:12We're not trying to outdo one another.
35:13It's all about love and validating and celebrating and uplifting.
35:18Who are you looking forward to seeing?
35:19Everybody.
35:20Everybody.
35:20So just catch it up.
35:21I just saw Lisa Nichols.
35:23Hopefully Oprah's here.
35:25I just saw Kiki Palmer, who I adore.
35:27I love Kiki.
35:27And she said to me, thank you for leading the way so that I can do what I do.
35:31And I was like.
35:32Wow.
35:32That's magical.
35:33That's magical.
35:34Who's your idols in this industry?
35:36Who do you felt led the way for you to say, you know what?
35:38I can do that.
35:39I just met Diane Carroll the other night at the ABFF Awards.
35:42Magical.
35:43Magic.
35:44I was giddy.
35:45I was jittery.
35:46Because seeing her on television gave me permission to be smart and classy and intelligent.
35:54And I didn't feel like I had to dumb down to make other people feel better.
35:58So she's one of them.
36:00Oprah, Michelle Obama.
36:02There's so many.
36:03Those are some good ones.
36:04Yeah.
36:04I know they're opening up the ballroom and calling everyone to sit down.
36:07But thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us.
36:09Always great to see you.
36:10See you inside.
36:10See you inside.
36:10All right.
36:12Let's head upstairs and check out.
36:13Lola, what you got going on, girl?
36:14I know it's super busy.
36:15I got a beautiful woman in a beautiful hat shutting down the red carpet.
36:19My girl, Vicky, from Orange is the New Black.
36:21Let's talk about this look.
36:22Because I'm feeling it.
36:23I love it.
36:23What inspired your look today?
36:25Well, I'm obsessed with polka dots.
36:26And polka dots actually means innocence.
36:29It means youth.
36:30And I just wanted it to be fun.
36:32Gorgeous.
36:32I wanted it to be very pretty woman.
36:34Gorgeous.
36:34All right.
36:35So the hashtag here is Black Girl Magic.
36:37Tell me what does Black Girl Magic mean to you?
36:39Ooh, Black Girl Magic just means powerful, positive, and women who are determined to make a difference in life.
36:46That's what that means.
36:47Absolutely.
36:48Well, I'm so excited that you're here.
36:50Excited to go in and have a good time.
36:51So thank you for coming by to say hi.
36:53I love this look head to toe.
36:56Amazing.
36:57And best of luck with everything.
36:59All right.
36:59Dana, what's going on?
37:01There's a lot going on down here.
37:02They just opened up the curtains for everyone to go inside the ballroom.
37:06People are still mixing and mangling and hanging out and seeing each other.
37:09But right now, you know, I want to talk more fashion.
37:12So, of course, let's talk red carpet fashion.
37:14We did a very special edition of Slade or Shade.
37:18So let's take a look at what our style experts back in New York had to say about this season's red carpet trends is Slade or Shade.
37:31Any award season brings fashion trends some good in, as you can see, some bad.
37:34This year, it was the cape.
37:37Here's Jennifer Lopez at the Golden Globes wearing a Gian Battista Volley gown and a pregnant Chrissy Teigen who attended the Grammys in a Yusuf Al-Jasmin neoprene gown.
37:45Now, panelists, you can only Slade or Shade one look.
37:49All right.
37:50So pick one and tell me who's Slade and who you're Shading.
37:53But they both Slade.
37:54Oh, you think it's a Slade across the board.
37:56Marlo, talk to me.
37:56I think J-Lo Slade this one.
38:00It's Christine, right?
38:02Chrissy Teigen.
38:03Chrissy.
38:03I love Chrissy.
38:04Her energy is so hype and so fun.
38:07And the dress is beautiful.
38:08It's so angelic.
38:09But I wanted her more fun.
38:11Even if that dress was tailored skin tight to her stomach, it was just too motherly, too classy and elegant for her to see.
38:17I wanted her more fun and show off her belly bump.
38:19That doesn't meet her personality.
38:21But J-Lo Slade it.
38:22The cape was just enough.
38:24It still showed the body.
38:26The pose was on point.
38:27J-Lo, please call me.
38:28Tweet me.
38:28Instagram me.
38:29Show me how to get these poses on point.
38:30Oh, she's the twin of the pose.
38:32It's like J-Lo sits home and it's like, uh-uh, wait, this is the angle.
38:36Like, I'm going to practice.
38:37And I heard that for the look to get the face, like, you have to, like, it's like it's a blow.
38:42It's like a blow.
38:42It's like a, like a, I still haven't.
38:44I just look like I have Tourette's when I do it, but whatever.
38:46I know.
38:46She can do it.
38:47If I have to shade anybody, I'd say Chrissy.
38:50And the only reason is because we've seen that white cape dress so many times.
38:54It feels like a repeat.
38:56So, I'd say then J-Lo Slade for all the right reasons.
38:59I mean, J-Lo can go from absolutely wearing nothing to get it being covered up from head
39:04to toe and look absolutely exquisite.
39:05But the diamonds, how much was that?
39:072.4 million US dollars that much she was wearing?
39:10Tons.
39:10Ridiculous.
39:11She slayed it.
39:11Yeah.
39:12I really love that work.
39:13Glamour?
39:13Okay, so I'm going to be redundant as everyone else here and I'm going to say, first of all,
39:17J-Lo, she is mother over all slay.
39:20Yes.
39:20Like when she hits the red carpet, that color was amazing, the jewels, it just worked.
39:25I mean, as far as Chrissy goes, I think at this point, I'm so kind of like tired of seeing
39:30the cape just a little bit.
39:31I know she had some embellishments to the cape, but like Marlo said, the personality didn't
39:35equate to the look.
39:36Like, yeah, it was kind of bad.
39:38Mm-hmm.
39:43Non-people of color tend to have more opportunities to direct black projects than getting a person
39:55of color to direct a mainstream project.
39:58Sometimes if the cast is black, the crew is white.
40:01Because it's the captain, the heads of the department comes from, he or she brings their team.
40:06Oftentimes, producers and networks tend to want to work with the same directors over and
40:12over again.
40:13So getting into that club is always a difficult nut to crack.
40:19And it comes down to, here it is, people want to be with who they want to be with.
40:24In front of the camera, behind the camera, in the offices, they're used to being with
40:29their people.
40:31And if they're not used to being around people of color, they don't know, that's not their
40:36first thought.
40:36Working with black women behind the camera, you know, whether directors or writers, there's
40:45always another layer, another perspective that they bring that I always appreciate.
40:54You know, I would love to see more of us behind the camera.
40:58The new TV show I'm in, Misha Green, is a black woman and she co-created it and wrote
41:05in as executive producer and showrunner on it.
41:09And she has definitely helped contribute to the voice of the characters in Underground.
41:14And the women are strong and complex because we have her here to make sure that they're
41:21layered.
41:21I think it's very important to have black actors and roles as directors, writers, and
41:26things of that nature just to show a different perspective.
41:29I mean, I think the industry's hungry for it.
41:31I think the world is hungry for it.
41:33We want our art to reflect the society, you know.
41:38That's what our job is as an artist, is to hold a mirror up to society.
41:42Again, it's not about competition.
41:44You can't take what belongs to someone else.
41:46It's all about, you know, how about not this person wins or this person wins.
41:50How about all of us win?
41:51It should be less of a conversation of black versus white.
41:54It should be a conversation of all-inclusive so that there doesn't have to be that conversation
41:58to begin with.
41:58So it's not just we want, you know, more people of color there and bam, they happen.
42:04It has to start when the film is beginning and the discussion has to be about, okay, before
42:09we get started with this, how can we have more representation behind the camera?
42:13Oh, well, I was, mm-mm, mm-mm, it's not going to go down like that.
42:16I know you have your team and who you work with, but we'd like to see some representation
42:21on both sides of the camera.
42:23Black people are in the world, so if you see them everywhere except on screen, which is
42:32supposed to mimic what real life is like, they will be missed.
42:37Hey, hey, Essence Live, joining me now is the beautiful and talented Ms. Nicole Ari Parker
42:44and a troublemaker who had to join the platform for us, Kojo.
42:49How are you guys?
42:49I'm so happy that he's the only guy here with, like, 300 beautiful women, the most beautiful
42:54women in the world.
42:55In the world.
42:56They put a testosterone table right in the corner from me, the way I can sit.
43:00You and, like, two other guys, the only two other guys.
43:02Yeah, it's like you're running recon, right?
43:04That's right.
43:05It's me and 387 women.
43:08So I like it.
43:09You'll like it.
43:10Well, Nicole, what does it mean for you to be in this room?
43:13Is it magical?
43:14What does it feel like to come back year after year in this room?
43:16Well, it's really just comforting and reassuring.
43:21Everybody is happy to see each other, people you haven't seen in a long time, people who
43:25got the job you wanted.
43:27It doesn't even matter.
43:28You know, when one of us wins, we all win, and it's events like this, and Essence puts
43:32on such a great event that you get to celebrate that.
43:35Definitely.
43:36And we've been talking a lot at the magazine about Black Girl Magic and this hashtag and
43:39the movement.
43:40What does that mean to you, Black Girl Magic?
43:43Someone asked us that before.
43:44I think it has to do with resilience, you know, because resilience kind of creates that
43:50sparkle dust.
43:51Like, yeah, I'm not impenetrable.
43:53You can knock me down, but I'm going to get back up.
43:55It's in my blood to get back up.
43:57And I think that's the legacy that we pass between each other and that we pass on to
44:02our children, you know.
44:03Get back up.
44:05Definitely.
44:05And Boris, what does that mean to you?
44:06I mean, you're a gentleman.
44:07You're the father of a daughter.
44:08You have a daughter.
44:10What does that mean to you, Black Girl Magic?
44:11It means to fortify her spirit and her confidence every single day.
44:17She watches her mother.
44:18Her mother is her model.
44:20How to move around, how to move around in the world.
44:23And I am the model to show her how to love a black woman so that she gets used to that.
44:28And that would be her standard when she meets somebody.
44:31She's never going to meet anybody, though.
44:33Get your mic back, girl.
44:36I hate to tell the daddies they're going to meet somebody.
44:39It's going to happen.
44:40Well, who are you all looking forward to seeing today?
44:42Everybody.
44:43Everybody.
44:44I went to a club in Atlanta, and when I walked in, they were like, oh, snap.
44:50Tracy Ellis Ross is in the house.
44:54I was like, oh, my God.
44:57I'm mortified, and we're done.
44:59But if you saw the club, I was in, I'd be like, yes, I'm Tracy.
45:02Tell everybody Tracy was here.
45:04Let everybody know.
45:05Let everybody know.
45:06Well, thank you guys so much.
45:07I know they've opened the ballroom, and they're trying to rush everyone in.
45:09Thank you so much, Nicole.
45:10Thanks for having us.
45:10Thank you so much, Boris.
45:11All right.
45:11Thank you so very much.
45:12All right, Lala, who do you have upstairs?
45:15Nobody gets shutting down if everybody's going inside, ready to hang out and have a good time.
45:19But definitely just hope you guys enjoyed watching this.
45:22Like, it was so fun talking to so many amazing, powerful women.
45:25This was just an amazing red carpet, an amazing start to an amazing lunch inside.
45:30So I'm excited to see what else, you know, is going to happen here today.
45:33So thanks to everybody that came and talked to me.
45:35Thank you for tuning in.
45:36I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
45:38Oh, I had an absolute blast just seeing everyone.
45:40And I hope you have your tissue ready, because I know it's going to be a magical, tear-jerker, heartfelt experience inside.
45:47And I want to also thank everyone who took the time out of their day to stream with us and join us here on Essence Live.
45:52Thank you to Lala, who joined us.
45:53Thank you so much.
45:54Thank you for having me.
45:55Oh, no.
45:55Anytime, girl.
45:56Anytime.
45:57And thank you to all of the celebs and the guests who stopped by and gave us a little chat.
46:01Of course, you can catch the replay right here on Essence.com.
46:04And, of course, tons and tons of pictures and inside scoop.
46:07Don't go anywhere.
46:08I am Dana Blair.
46:10Thank you so very much for joining us for Essence's 9th Annual Blackwood and Hollywood Awards.
46:14All right.
46:15Till next time, and I'm going to head into the ballroom.
46:17Bye.
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