The red carpet officially rolled out Wednesday at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood for the 97th Academy Awards, kicking off the final stretch of Oscar pre-parties and events as Hollywood gears up for Sunday, March 2.
Today, the 18th ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards celebrated Black women’s excellence in TV and film on Thursday, February 27, at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel. The Alist crowd gathered to honor this year’s powerhouse honorees: Cynthia Erivo, Teyana Taylor, Marla Gibbs, and Raamla Mohamed. Attendees included Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Issa Rae, Taraji P. Henson, Karen Pittman, Dominique Fishback, Ruth Negga, Jonathan Majors, Danielle Brooks, Nathalie Emmanuel and many more.
This year’s theme, Scene and Unseen, is about spotlighting the stories, performances, and contributions that often go overlooked, even as they shape the fabric of the entertainment industry. Since its inception, the ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards have celebrated not just the big names but also the unsung heroes who break barriers and open
On Wednesday, February 27, Vanity Fair and Instagram hosted Vanities: A Night For Young Hollywood, a star-studded bash at Bar Marmont in Hollywood, spotlighting the new creative class. The event was attended Monica Barbaro, Keke Palmer, Aaron Pierre, Anna Sawai, Harvey Guillén, Maria Bakalova, Mark Eydelshteyn, and many more.
Diane von Furstenberg hosted her annual Oscar Nominee Luncheon alongside Ava DuVernay, Donna Langley, and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, in celebration of women in film and the female nominees of the 97th Academy Awards. Diane has hosted this luncheon since 2014. That evening, Mindy Kaling, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Kunal Nayyar, Manish Dayal, and others celebrated South Asian representation at the ‘South Asians at the Oscars’ Pre-Oscars Party, held at Carondelet House.
Chef Wolfgang Puck and Wolfgang Puck Catering will return, for its 31st year, to create the menu for this year’s Governor’s Ball where nominees, winners, and guests will be treated to a variety of tray-passed dishes including smoked salmon Oscar’s matzah, Cacio e Pepe Macaroni and Cheese, Chicken Pot Pie, WP signature pizzas to piña colada Oscar silhouette éclairs.
Elton John’s 33rd annual Academy Awards Viewing Party, benefiting the Elton John AIDS Foundation, will be held again on Sunday, March 2nd. He’ll be joined by a star-studded lineup, including Megan Thee Stallion, Hozier, Sharon Stone, Sean Penn, Mick Jagger, Jeffrey Wright (Benefit Chair), Jean Smart, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Neil Patrick Harris (Co-hosts), and a performance by Chappell Roan.
Events this week include Universal Pictures Filmed Entertainment Pre-Oscars Bash; The Green Carpet Fashion Awards; Women in Film Academy Awards; Kodak Film Awards; Charles Finch Dinner, and the Night Before the Oscars.
The stars will party-hop post-award Oscar ceremonies from the Governors Ball to the Vanity Fair Oscars Party and many more. Private after-parties are being held for Neon, Searchlight Pictures, Mubi, and Netflix.
Scroll through the gallery for the latest photos from the pre-Oscar events.
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2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards – Arrivals
Image Credit: Getty Images Cynthia Erivo attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27
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2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood – Red Carpet
Image Credit: Getty Images Marianne Jean-Baptiste
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2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards – Arrivals
Image Credit: Getty Images Issa Rae
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2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards – Arrivals
Image Credit: Getty Images Jurnee Smollett
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2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards – Arrivals
Image Credit: Getty Images Raamla Mohamed
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2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards – Arrivals
Image Credit: Getty Images Teyana Taylor
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2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards – Red Carpet
Image Credit: Getty Images Taraji P. Henson
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2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards – Red Carpet
Image Credit: Getty Images Jodie Turner-Smith
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2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards – Red Carpet
Image Credit: Getty Images Karen Pittman
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2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards – Red Carpet
Image Credit: Getty Images Dominique Fishback
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2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards – Arrivals
Image Credit: Getty Images Taye Diggs
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2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards – Red Carpet
Image Credit: Getty Images Yvette Nicole Brown
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2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards – Arrivals
Image Credit: Getty Images Ruth Negga
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2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards – Arrivals
Image Credit: Getty Images Storm Reid
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2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood – Red Carpet
Image Credit: Getty Images Nafessa Williams
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2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards – Red Carpet
Image Credit: Getty Images Jonathan Majors
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2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood – Red Carpet
Image Credit: Getty Images Nathalie Emmanuel
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2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards – Arrivals
Image Credit: Getty Images Danielle Brooks
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Vanity Fair And Instagram Present Vanities: A Night for Young Hollywood
Image Credit: Getty Images (L-R) Monica Barbaro, Keke Palmer, Aaron Pierre and Anna Sawai attend Vanity Fair and Instagram Celebrate Vanities: A Night for Young Hollywood at Bar Marmont on February 26
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Vanity Fair And Instagram Present Vanities: A Night for Young Hollywood
Image Credit: Getty Images Harvey Guillén
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Vanity Fair And Instagram Present Vanities: A Night for Young Hollywood
Image Credit: Getty Images (L-R) Kit Connor, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Michael Gandolfini and Noah Centineo
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Vanity Fair And Instagram Present Vanities: A Night for Young Hollywood
Image Credit: Getty Images (L-R) Anna Sawai and Monica Barbaro
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Vanity Fair And Instagram Present Vanities: A Night for Young Hollywood
Image Credit: Getty Images Monica Barbaro
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Vanity Fair And Instagram Present Vanities: A Night for Young Hollywood
Image Credit: Getty Images Nathalie Emmanuel
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Vanity Fair And Instagram Present Vanities: A Night for Young Hollywood
Image Credit: Getty Images (L-R) Aaron Dominguez, Odessa A’zion and Sasha Calle
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Vanity Fair And Instagram Present Vanities: A Night for Young Hollywood
Image Credit: Getty Images (L-R) Coco Jones, Danielle Brooks
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Vanity Fair And Instagram Present Vanities: A Night for Young Hollywood
Image Credit: Getty Images Maria Bakalova
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Vanity Fair And Instagram Present Vanities: A Night for Young Hollywood
Image Credit: Getty Images Mark Eydelshteyn
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Vanity Fair And Instagram Present Vanities: A Night for Young Hollywood
Image Credit: Getty Images Keke Palmer
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Vanity Fair And Instagram Present Vanities: A Night for Young Hollywood
Image Credit: Getty Images (L-R) Joe De Pace, Rohan Campbell, Conor Sherry, VLAD, Mark Eydelshteyn and Gabriel LaBelle
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Vanity Fair And Instagram Present Vanities: A Night for Young Hollywood
Image Credit: Getty Images Peyton List
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Vanity Fair And Instagram Present Vanities: A Night for Young Hollywood
Image Credit: Getty Images Julia Fox
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Vanity Fair And Instagram Present Vanities: A Night for Young Hollywood
Image Credit: Getty Images Kiernan Shipka
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Vanity Fair And Instagram Present Vanities: A Night for Young Hollywood
Image Credit: Getty Images Liv Hewson (L) and guest
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Vanity Fair And Instagram Present Vanities: A Night for Young Hollywood
Image Credit: Getty Images (L-R) Justice Smith and Cameo Adele
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“South Asians At The Oscars” Pre-Oscars Party 2025 – Arrivals
Image Credit: Getty Images (L-R) Mindy Kaling, Utkarsh Ambudkar, and Naomi Ambudkar attend the “South Asians at the Oscars” Pre-Oscars Party at Carondelet House on February 26
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“South Asians At The Oscars” Pre-Oscars Party 2025 – Inside
Image Credit: Getty Images (L-R) Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Poorna Jagannathan, Mindy Kaling, Guneet Monga, Suchitra Mattai, and Adam Graves
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“South Asians At The Oscars” Pre-Oscars Party 2025 – Inside
Image Credit: Getty Images (L-R) Utkarsh Ambudkar and Naomi Ambudkar
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“South Asians At The Oscars” Pre-Oscars Party 2025 – Inside
Image Credit: Getty Images Kunal Nayyar (L), Manish Dayal (R), and Ravi Mehta
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“South Asians At The Oscars” Pre-Oscars Party 2025 – Inside
Image Credit: Getty Images (2nd L-R) Sukki Menon, Rajshree, Asha Puthli, and guests
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“South Asians At The Oscars” Pre-Oscars Party 2025 – Inside
Image Credit: Getty Images (L-R) Payal Kadakia and Shruti Ganguly
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“South Asians At The Oscars” Pre-Oscars Party 2025 – Inside
Image Credit: Getty Images (L-R) Aasif Mandvi, Manish Dayal, and guest
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Diane von Furstenberg Hosts 97th Academy Awards Luncheon For Female Nominees
(L-R) Numa Perrier, Marie Jamora, Stephanie Turner, Débora Souza Silva, Carmen Marron, Regina Miller, Tilane Jones, Mercedes Cooper, Lisa France, Cierra Glaude, Ava DuVernay, Diane von Fürstenberg, Shaz Bennett, Tammy Thomas Garnes, India Hammond and C. Fitz attend the 97th Academy Awards Luncheon for Female Nominees hosted by Diane von Furstenberg on February 26
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Diane von Furstenberg Hosts 97th Academy Awards Luncheon For Female Nominees
(L-R) Ava DuVernay, Diane von Fürstenberg, Donna Langley, Chairman, NBCUniversal Studios & Entertainment and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy speak during the 97th Academy Awards Luncheon for Female Nominees hosted by Diane von Furstenberg on February 26
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Diane von Furstenberg Hosts 97th Academy Awards Luncheon For Female Nominees
(L-R) Ava DuVernay, Diane von Fürstenberg, Donna Langley, Chairman, NBCUniversal Studios & Entertainment and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy speak during the 97th Academy Awards Luncheon for Female Nominees hosted by Diane von Furstenberg on February 26
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Diane von Furstenberg Hosts 97th Academy Awards Luncheon For Female Nominees
Coralie Fargeat attends the 97th Academy Awards Luncheon for Female Nominees hosted by Diane von Furstenberg on February 26
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The 96th Academy Awards Red Carpet Roll Out
Image Credit: Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images Conan O’Brien at The 96th Academy Awards Red Carpet Roll Out at The Dolby Theatre on February 26
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The 96th Academy Awards Red Carpet Roll Out
Conan O’Brien
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The 96th Academy Awards Red Carpet Roll Out
Image Credit: Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images Conan O’Brien
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97th Annual Academy Awards – Carpet Roll Out
Image Credit: Getty Images Conan O’Brien
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97th Oscars Governors Ball Preview
Image Credit: Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images Wolfgang Puck makes Pad Thai at the 97th Oscars Governors Ball Preview held at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on February 25
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97th Oscars Governors Ball Preview
Image Credit: Getty Images Food is displayed during the 97th Oscars Governors Ball Preview
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97th Oscars Governors Ball Preview
Image Credit: Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images Wolfgang Puck chocolate Oscars statuettes
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97th Oscars Governors Ball Preview
Image Credit: Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images Wolfgang Puck chocolate Oscars statuettes
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97th Oscars Governors Ball Preview
Image Credit: Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images Atmosphere at the 97th Oscars Governors Ball Preview
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97th Oscars Governors Ball Preview
Image Credit: Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images Cheeseburger sliders
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97th Oscars Governors Ball Preview
Image Credit: Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images Wolfgang Puck at the 97th Oscars Governors Ball Preview
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97th Oscars Governors Ball Preview
Image Credit: Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images Black pearl caviar on a smoked salmon Oscar statuette
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97th Oscars Governors Ball Preview
Image Credit: Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images Black pearl caviar on a smoked salmon Oscar statuette
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97th Oscars Governors Ball Preview
Image Credit: Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images Chocolate cigars
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97th Oscars Governors Ball Preview
Image Credit: Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images Cuisine by Wolfgang Puck at the 97th Oscars Governors Ball Preview
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97th Oscars Governors Ball Preview
Image Credit: Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images Don Julio Tequila at the 97th Oscars Governors Ball Preview held at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on February 25
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97th Oscars Governors Ball Preview
Image Credit: Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images Champagne Lallier
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97th Oscars Governors Ball Preview
Image Credit: Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images Cuisine by Wolfgang Puck
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97th Oscars Governors Ball Preview
Image Credit: Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images Cuisine by Wolfgang Puck
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97th Oscars Governors Ball Preview
Image Credit: Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images Atmosphere at the 97th Oscars Governors Ball Preview
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97th Oscars Governors Ball Preview
Image Credit: Getty Food is displayed during the 97th Oscars Governors Ball Preview at Dolby
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97th Oscars Governors Ball Preview
Image Credit: Getty Food is displayed during the 97th Oscars Governors Ball Preview at Dolby Theatre on February 25
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