These Black Celebs Slayed The Red Carpet at The NAACP Image Awards

Chloe and Halle Bailey, Kerry Washington and more of our faves showed up and showed out. Let's take a look!

Published

February 22, 2025

Cynthia Erivo at the 56th NAACP Image Awards held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 22, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images Gilbert Flores/Variety

The best of the best in Black television, film and more was honored at the 2025 NAACP Image Awards on Saturday and more than a handful of our favorite Black stars were in the building.

Three Friends Were Headed To A Beyoncé Concert, But One Dies On the Way. Guess What The Other Two Did Next?

Our Fave Moments From A$AP Rocky’s Fashion Show During Paris Men’s Fashion Week

15 Sneaky Moves Pulled by Trump That’ll Have A Grave Impact On You

Video will return here when scrolled back into view

Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

view video

Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

Some of those people included “Wicked” star Cynthia Erivo, Chairman’s Award recipient and former Vice President Kamala Harris, Hall of Fame Award honorees Damon Wayans, Marlon Wayans and the rest of the family; Halle and Chloe Bailey, Gabrielle Union, Essence Atkins and more.

But in addition to all the famous faces, a large part of what made this year’s awards show so special was the fabulous fashions, gorgeous gowns and stunning looks that graced the purple carpet. And because we know you love to indulge in the goodness along with us—let’s take a look at a handful of the famous faces that brought amazing looks to this year’s awards show.

From Jurnee Smollett to John David Washington, here are the best looks!

Former Vice President Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff

Photo: Getty Images Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for BET Photo: Getty Images Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for BET

Morris Chestnut

Photo: Getty Images Emma McIntyre Photo: Getty Images Emma McIntyre

Gabrielle Union

Emayatzi Corinealdi, Kerry Washington and Ebony Obsidian

Jurnee Smollett

Photo: Getty Images Aaron J. Thornton for BET Photo: Getty Images Aaron J. Thornton for BET

Halle Bailey

Image: Getty Images Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for BET Image: Getty Images Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for BET

Chloe Bailey

Kingsley Ben-Adir

John David Washington

Shannon Sharpe

Kyla Pratt

Damon Wayans, Damon Wayans Jr., and Marlon Wayans

Photo: Getty Images Arnold Turner for NAACP Photo: Getty Images Arnold Turner for NAACP

efefe

David Alan Grier

Ego Nwodim

Straight From

Latest from The Root

Our Fave Moments From A$AP Rocky’s Fashion Show During Paris Men’s Fashion Week

The rapper showed of the latest AWGE collection at a Paris Fashion Week show ...

15 Sneaky Moves Pulled by Trump That’ll Have A Grave Impact On You

From cutting the Job Corps to sneaking in scary artificial intelligence regulation, many fear Trump is trying to distract Americans with an onslaught of questionable moves ...

Three Friends Were Headed To A Beyoncé Concert, But One Dies On the Way. Guess What The Other Two Did Next?

A group of friends who experienced tragedy on their way to a Cowboy Carter show have sparked a viral debate about what would keep fans from seeing Queen Bey ...

This White Singer Sang This Chaka Khan Iconic Hit and Black Internet Lost Its Mind

Once Hayley Williams' clip began to make the rounds on social media, a lot of Black folks had a myriad of reactions! Let's get into it ...

Will Smith Just Brought Up the Chris Rock Oscars Slap And He Doesn’t Seem Sorry …Anymore

It looks like the "Fresh Prince" star is feeling a bit differently about it than before and we've got the tea to prove it! ...

Angela Bassett arrives for the 74th Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, on September 12, 2022. Photo: Getty Images Chris Delmas / AFP

8 Black Actors Who Got Their Start in August Wilson Plays

Some of our greatest actors have appeared in the prolific playwright's shows on and Off Broadway ...

Many Believe This Prophecy That Predicts the Return of Christ Is Coming True …Thanks Trump …

Whether you're religious or not, we know the stories of Sodom and Gomorrah and Noah's Ark, but how about the one predicting Jesus' return? ...

50 Cent is Being Dragged Over This Super-Shady Move Toward NYC Mayor Hopeful Zohran Mamdani

50 Cent doesn't shy away from the beef, so after Zohran Mamdani name-dropped him, the 49-year-old took to Instagram to get some things off his chest ...

Why Nelly, Ashanti’s New Show Has the Internet Annoyed and Angry

While some fans were excited to get an up-close and personal look at the couple, others weren't too pleased at what they saw ...

Amazing Story Behind Why Money Dropped From The Sky To a Black Detroit Neighborhood

The son of a local car wash owner helped his father share his final wish with the community he loved ...

Enough Beyoncé! For The Sake of Your Kids, Safety of Fans, Stop Riding That Flying Car

The singer was almost seriously injured on Saturday night. Time to let the car go ...

Black Internet Cheered ‘Pop The Balloon’ Contestant’s Clap back To A Male Panelist’s Remarks About Black, Female Hair

Black social media cheered the female panelist on for her bold clapback towards this male contestant's insensitive remarks ...

Why Kountry Wayne’s Latest Episode is a Reminder That Black Women Never Get the Grace Black Men Do

The popular internet soap opera sees a Black woman get dragged in the comments...while her equally trashy Black male equivalent skates off ...

Black Twitter Reacts to Trump Crushing on a Beautiful Black Woman In The Oval Office

The Black reporter was beautiful, but did President Trump have to make her looks front and center? ...

The Best Black TV Shows, Movies on Hulu to Stream

We rounded up a handful of the newest and best Black TV shows and movies currently streaming right now ...

Joy Reid: Fascism is Coming, Whether You Voted For it or Not

EXCLUSIVE: The host of "The Joy Reid Show" gave us some real talk about the Trump agenda ...

Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

Buying a car or a phone? Here’s what to know about tariffs in 2025, according to Marketplace's Kimberly Adams ...

Why Halle Berry’s Latest Post Is Sparking Hilarious Britney Spears Comparisons

The Oscar-winning star has never shied away from baring it all on social media, and her latest post certainly has people talking! ...

When A White Woman Was Told She Could Not Be Harriet Tubman In a Play, She Took Matters Into Her Own Hands

The longtime actress simply wanted to portray influential historical figures, but things unfortunately went South. Let's get into it! ...

Diddy’s Daughters’ Tearful Exit From Trial Ignites Black America’s Outcry

Video of Diddy's daughters circulated the internet, and just as folks continue to share their thoughts on the trial, the girls were also subjected to the public's court of opinions ...

These Black Celebs Slayed The Red Carpet at The NAACP Image Awards

Suggested Reading

Former Vice President Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff

Morris Chestnut

Gabrielle Union

Emayatzi Corinealdi, Kerry Washington and Ebony Obsidian

Jurnee Smollett

Halle Bailey

Chloe Bailey

Kingsley Ben-Adir

John David Washington

Shannon Sharpe

Kyla Pratt

Damon Wayans, Damon Wayans Jr., and Marlon Wayans

David Alan Grier

Ego Nwodim

Latest from The Root

More From The Root