The Best Black Celeb Looks at 2026 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood
From Teyana Taylor and Ryan Destiny to Chloe Bailey and more, these Black women shined bright at ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood celebration. Let’s get into their looks!
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: (L-R) Ryan Destiny, Chlöe Bailey and Serena Page attend the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
The annual event is one of the highlights for Black celebs near and far, as it provides a much-needed safe space as awards season nears its end. And as you might expect, more than a handful of our favorite famous faces showed up and showed out on the carpet. From Zendaya to Sheryl Lee Ralph and more, keep reading to see some of the most gorgeous looks!
Marsai Martin
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Marsai Martin attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Host Marsai Martin popped out correctly in a short beige dress complete with a dramatic cape. She always gets it!
Halle Bailey
Halle Bailey at the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards Ceremony held at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Earl Gibson III/Deadline via Getty Images)
Halle Bailey looked like a goddess in this olive green dress, which was complemented by her ultra-cute updo!
Teyana Taylor & Chase Infiniti
You already know Teyana Taylor was going to step in with a good look to support her “One Battle After Another” co-star Chase Infiniti, who was being honored at the event. They both looked adorable and hella fashionable together.
Ryan Destiny
Ryan Destiny at the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards Ceremony held at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Savion Washington/Variety via Getty Images)LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: (L-R) Teyana Taylor and Honoree Chase Infiniti attend the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
The way Ryan Destiny turned a white button-down dress into this ultra-chic moment should be studied. It’s so simple, but it’s such a good look—especially with that high slit.
Coco Jones
Coco Jones at the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards Ceremony held at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Savion Washington/Variety via Getty Images)
Florals in springtime? No biggie, but on Coco Jones, those flowers are truly groundbreaking and stylish. We see you, sis!
Olandria Carthen
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Olandria Carthen attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Is there really anything Olandria Carthen can’t wear? Judging by this gold Sergio Hudson gown, the answer is no!
Serena Page
Serena Page at the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards Ceremony held at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Savion Washington/Variety via Getty Images)
Serena Page was already the talk of the internet thanks to her viral SheaMoisture campaign, and now she brought even more fire to the ESSENCE carpet with this orange, backless dress!
Chlöe Bailey
Chloe Bailey at the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards Ceremony held at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Earl Gibson III/Deadline via Getty Images)
Chlöe Bailey had us screaming “have mercy” with her colorful look on the carpet! And can we get into the braided loc ponytail? Wow, wow, wow!
Zendaya
Zendaya at the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards Ceremony held at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Earl Gibson III/Deadline via Getty Images)
One of the best looks of the event, Zendaya strutted her stuff in this floral, white dress, paying homage to Whitney Houston and rocking a short cut for her hair!
Wunmi Mosaku
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Wunmi Mosaku attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Julian Hamilton/FilmMagic)
Oscar-nominee Wunmi Mosaku came through in a fun black dress and a noticeable pregnancy glow that did nothing but complement her radiance!
Jayme Lawson
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Jayme Lawson attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
“Sinners” star Jayme Lawson came through in an eggshell ensemble and her mega-watt smile! We love to see it.
Zinzi Coogler
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Zinzi Coogler attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Zinzi Coogler, who was one of the honorees of the event, stunned in a sequin, cream-colored dress.
Sheryl Lee Ralph
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Sheryl Lee Ralph attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Julian Hamilton/FilmMagic)
Sheryl Lee Ralph popped out looking pretty in pastel pink at the event, just in time for spring. Yes, diva!
Ryan Michelle Bathe
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Ryan Michelle Bathe attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Julian Hamilton/FilmMagic)
While people may be talking about her hubby, Sterling K. Brown, for his new show “Paradise,” their heads were turning on Thursday when Ryan Michelle Bathe stepped on the carpet looking chic and gorgeous!
