Watch: 48th NAACP Image Award Winners and Nominees Explain Why ‘Image Is Everything’

On Saturday, black excellence gathered in Pasadena, Calif., to celebrate its greatness, and The Root was on the red carpet! Image is everything, and because it was the NAACP Image Awards, we decided to ask the celebrants about the image they portray to the world and the importance of that image.

So before you gush over who took home the coveted trophies, check out the brilliance of some of our favorites with whom we chatted on the carpet.

From Aisha Hinds (Harriet Tubman in Underground) to Cree Summer (Freddie from A Different World and the award show’s announcer) and Kofi Siriboe (Ralphangel in Queen Sugar), we were surrounded by amazing talent with strong opinions.

Check out how they feel about their image:

And here’s the list of the 2017 NAACP Image Award winners:

Outstanding Comedy SeriesBlack-ish (ABC)Outstanding Actor in a Comedy SeriesAnthony Anderson: Black-ish (ABC)Outstanding Actress in a Comedy SeriesTracee Ellis Ross: Black-ish (ABC)Outstanding Drama SeriesQueen Sugar (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)Outstanding Actor in a Drama SeriesSterling K. Brown, This Is Us (NBC)Outstanding Actress in a Drama SeriesTaraji P. Henson, Empire (Fox)Outstanding Motion PictureHidden Figures (20th Century Fox) Outstanding Actor in a Motion PictureDenzel Washington, Fences (Paramount Pictures) Outstanding Actress in a Motion PictureTaraji P. Henson, Hidden Figures (20th Century Fox)Entertainer of the YearDwayne Johnson