The 44th Annual NAACP Image Awards is the talk of Hollywood throughout the day today and rightfully so. This year’s awards show spoke for itself. America witnessed one of the most star studded award shows since its inception on network television. Master of ceremonies and star of Family Feud, Steve Harvey, set the tone for the night with high energy comedy to set the night off to a great start as Hollywood’s top stars including Samuel L. Jackson,Jamie Foxx, Cedric The Entertainer, Loretta Devine and others sat dressed in dapper attire cheering in pure excitement for the night’s festivities and competitive line up of nominees most of whom appeared live.
Popular actress, Kerry Washington, had a big night at the 44th annual NAACP Image Awards winning three prestigious awards including the President’s Award, Best Actress in a Drama Series for her role on the hit ABC series "Scandal," and Best Supporting Actress in a motion picture for her powerful role in"Django Unchained" bringing a smile to the film’s director, Quentin Tarrantino, who also appeared at the awards show.
HipHop star and popular TV actor,LL Cool J, received a crowd roaring cheer with his triumphant win for the award for Best Actor in a Drama Series for his popular role on NCIS: Los Angeles.
When it comes to the best gown of the night, this award should be given hands down to Ms Gladys Knight for her on camera choice of fashion as she entered the stage with a draping, flowing dark evening gown that sparkled with the effervescence of classic Hollywood glamour during the “In Memory” segment. The crowd was moved as she delivered the classic, “The Way We Were”, with her signature power vocals.
For red carpet pizzazz, the fashion award should be given to Urban Pop songstress, Toy Connor, the lady who turned heads with her arrival on the backstage red carpet as she appeared in a fashionable designer orange evening gown that emoted a refreshing approach to “Hollywood glamour” so fitting for the prestigious occasion. Ms. Connor was seen backstage with LL Cool J, Sidney Poitier and other top stars along with top music executives Kerry Gordy and Lisa Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of LRT Music.
George Lucas' motion picture about the Tuskegee Airmen,"Red Tails" won for Best Motion Picture category to the delight of the "Star Wars" who accepted the award in person at the star studded ceremony.
The emotionally touching moment of the night occurred when Oscar Winning screen legend, Sidney Poitier, honored the career of Harry Belafonte presenting him with the Spingarn Award for outstanding career achievements after which Wyclef Jean and Common performed to celebrate Mr. Belafonte’s award of recognition.
Overall, the 44th Annual NAACP Image Awards was regal and poised in presenting an outstanding array of top stars united for the cause to celebrate not only the winners of the night but the opportunity to gather together to celebrate the purpose of the award show which continues to evolve as an inspiring source of prestigious recognition to artists and actors who give their all to continue to create powerful works of cinema and music in this ever evolving world of entertainment that we hold dear to our hearts.
Congratulations to the winners, nominees and all who attended this memorable awards show, one that will go down in the books as one of the NAACP's best yet.
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