Held for the first time on Martin Luther King, Jr Day, the 49th NAACP Image Awards Awards is an annual display of multicultural distinction and opulence.
Not only is the award show dedicated to celebrating the year's best achievements and performances of people of color in the arts, the Image Awards also honors those who also dedicate their time and gifts to social justice and their initiatives.
Hosted by NAACP Image Awards winner and black-Ish star Anthony Anderson, no other award show boats this much black excellence. With presenters ranging from Sterling K. Brown, Mary J. Blige, Michael B. Jordan, Daniel Kaluuya, Issa Rae, and Chadwick Boseman, watching the Image Awards feels like an aspirational moment for all of us tuned into TVOne.
Let's get to the FASHION! Blues, burgundies, sheers, and sparkles were all winning tonight. From custom pieces to couture gowns, the attendees brought us all the glam. These women are designer's and stylist's dreams, and when they hit the carpet, heads turn and we bow! Can you say Black girl magic? Check out our faves below.
Yara Shahidi
Yara Shahidi's Vera Wang 2018 black gown with sheer details was tiered to perfection. We especially love the interesting neckline and cute sleeve, which proves that she is a young fashionista to watch.
Marsai Martin
Styled by Apuje Kalu, black-ish star Marsai Martin was the belle of the ball as she sizzled in an emerald green look in a gown by Pantora Mini.
Letoya Luckett
Letoya Luckett wowed in a royalty-ready purple gown accented with that coveted newlywed glow. She and her husband Tommicus Walker made their first red carpet appearance together, and it was nothing short of magical.
June Ambrose
June Ambrose looked like the stylish winged angel that she is while stuntin' on the carpet. The renowned stylist and mom stunned in a Michael Costello capped couture ensemble.
Tamera Mowry-Housley
Tamera Mowry-Housley set off her Michael Costello custom black one-shoulder, sheer-detailed gown with gorgeous blue gem earrings that glittered.
Kerry Washington
Kerry Washington's black Michael Kors gown was classic and structured. One of the many amazing women behind the #TimesUp moment, the Scandal star kept the theme going from the Golden Globes.
Lil Mama
Lil Mama slayed the sheer detail trend in a gown only for the daring and fashion-foward. Accompanied by her billowing natural curls, her look was a show-stopper of the night.
Yvonne Orji
Insecure's Yvonne Orji wore a pale pink piece with embellishments that gave me royalty vibes.
Claudia Jordan
Claudia Jordan flaunted her curves in a rose-gold jumpsuit that told y'all she might be 44, but she is still body goals. Flawless.
Halle Berry
In a sheer detailed Reem Acra Fall 2016 gown, Halle Berry also reminds us that age is nothing but a number. She also empowered us by saying that "tonight is affirmation that we shall never be silent again."
Ava DuVernay
Ava DuVernay donned a Greta Constantine custom burgundy pantsuit that perfectly complemented the red on the Image Awards red carpet. She radiates confidence and intelligence and is the epitome of a Queen, Sugar.
Andra Day
Singer Andra Day embodied her eccentric eclectic style and was an absolute vision in a Giorgio Armani FW17 dress. She accessorized with red satin sandals by Louboutin, a Giuseppe clutch, and hair pins on deck.
Niecy Nash
Niecy Nash showed up to show out! The Claws star was yet another show-stopper of the night as a vision of opulence in a Mac Duggal that gave us thigh and leg for days.
Tracee Ellis Ross
Adorned in a Narcisco Rodriguez Pre-Fall 2018 number, Tracee Ellis Ross glittered in a sequined rose gold tea length and a fishtail braid for the gawds. The black-ish actress ended the night with the award for Oustanding Actress in a Comedy Series, donning a fur coat that reminded us all of why she reigns supreme.
These women have me over here planning my next black tie event just so I can slay like they did! Who were your favorites tonight?
All images via Getty Images
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Kayla Nicole says she wore a dress that was once worn by Braxton herself for the Halloween costume. “It’s not a secret Toni is more on the petite side. I’m obsessed with all 5’2” of her,” she tells xoNecole via email. “But I’m 5’10'' and not missing any meals, honey, so to my surprise, when I got the dress and it actually fit, I knew it was destiny.”
The episode was the perfect way for the multihyphenate to take control of her own narrative. By addressing the viral moment on her own platform, she was able to stir the conversation and keep the focus on her adoration for Braxton, an artist she says she grew up listening to and who still makes her most-played playlist every year. Elsewhere, she likely would’ve received questions about whether or not the costume was a subliminal aimed at her ex-boyfriend and his pop star fiancée. “I think that people will try to project their own narratives, right?” she said, hinting at this in the episode. “But, for me personally – I think it’s very important to say this in this moment – I’m not in the business of tearing other women down. I’m in the business of celebrating them.”
Kayla Nicole is among xoNecole’s It Girl 100 Class of 2025, powered by SheaMoisture, recognized in the Viral Voices category for her work in media and the trends she sets on our timelines, all while prioritizing her own mental and physical health. As she puts it: “Yes, I’m curating conversations on my podcast The Pre-Game, and cultivating community with my wellness brand Tribe Therepē.”
Despite being the frequent topic of conversation online, Kayla Nicole says she’s learning to take advantage of her growing social media platform without becoming consumed by it. “I refuse to let the internet consume me. It’s supposed to be a resource and tool for connection, so if it becomes anything beyond that I will log out,” she says.
On The Pre-Game, which launched earlier this year, she has positioned herself as listeners “homegirl.” “There’s definitely a delicate dance between being genuine and oversharing, and I’ve had to learn that the hard way. Now I share from a place of reflection, not reaction,” she says. “If it can help someone feel seen or less alone, I’ll talk about it within reason. But I’ve certainly learned to protect parts of my life that I cherish most. I share what serves connection but doesn’t cost me peace.
"I refuse to let the internet consume me. It’s supposed to be a resource and tool for connection, so if it becomes anything beyond that I will log out."
Credit: Malcolm Roberson
Throughout each episode, she sips a cocktail and addresses trending topics (even when they involve herself). It’s a platform the Pepperdine University alumnus has been preparing to have since she graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism, with a concentration in political science.
“I just knew I was going to end up on a local news network at the head anchor table, breaking high speed chases, and tossing it to the weather girl,” she says. Instead, she ended up working as an assistant at TMZ before covering sports as a freelance reporter. (She’s said she didn’t work for ESPN, despite previous reports saying otherwise.) The Pre-Game combines her love for pop culture and sports in a way that once felt inaccessible to her in traditional media.
She’s not just a podcaster, though. When she’s not behind the mic, taking acting classes or making her New York Fashion Week debut, Kayla Nicole is also busy elevating her wellness brand Tribe Therepē, where she shares her workouts and the workout equipment that helps her look chic while staying fit. She says the brand will add apparel to its line up in early 2026.
“Tribe Therepē has evolved into exactly what I have always envisioned. A community of women who care about being fit not just for the aesthetic, but for their mental and emotional well-being too. It’s grounded. It’s feminine. It’s strong,” she says. “And honestly, it's a reflection of where I am in my life right now. I feel so damn good - mentally, emotionally, and physically. And I am grateful to be in a space where I can pour that love and light back into the community that continues to pour into me.”
Tap into the full It Girl 100 Class of 2025 and meet all the women changing game this year and beyond. See the full list here.
Featured image by Malcolm Roberson
