Some of the SELMA cast was present for a special screening of the upcoming film in California last night. Meanwhile, Toni Braxton accepted the Woman of Empowerment Award at the Urban League of Greater Atlanta’s 53rd Equal Opportunity Dinner in Atlanta. Peep the pics inside….
Media Queen Oprah Winfrey was all smiles (in a purple gown) on the red carpet at The Legends Who Paved The Way Gala special screening of the Ava DuVernay-directed SELMA held at the Bacara Resort in Goleta, California last night.
Oprah serves as a producer (along with Brad Pitt) for the film and she will also be starring as civil rights activist Annie Lee Cooper in the Martin Luther King Jr. biopic.
She brought along her beau Stedman Graham as her date.
Cast mates Common (who plays a leader of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement James Bevel) and Niecy Nash (who stars as civil rights activist/author Richie Jean Jackson) posed it up on the carpet. Niecy is looking red hot!
Dear White People actress Tessa Thompson was pretty in pink rocking a Giulietta Spring 15 frock, which she paired with white Oscar Tiye Malikah sandals and a Swarovski clutch. Tessa will star as civil rights activist Diane Nash in the upcoming flick.
SELMA director Ava Duvernay added a little color to the carpet in a DVF dress, DVF clutch and Marcia Moran earrings. She posed it up alongside upcoming SELMA stars David Oyelowo and Carmen Ejogo.
Actor David Oyelowo brought his wife Jessica along for the special screening. The Butler star will play the prestigious Martin Luther King Jr. in the upcoming film. David is already nabbing awards for his role in the film. He will be honored by the 26th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival as the breakthrough actor of 2014. The awards gala will go down on January 3rd.
Academy Award nominee Angela Bassett served some flawlessness in a black and white look on the carpet last night. She will be making her directorial debut in LIFETIME’s Whitney Houston biopic, which is slated to premiere January 19th. Peep the new trailer if you missed it here.
New dad Tyler Perry (who welcomed a baby boy recently) and legendary Motown record producer Berry Gordy came out to support.
“Deion’s Family Playbook” stars Deion Sanders and his girlfriend Tracey Edmonds color coordinated for the event. Looks like they aren't letting the recent drama involving Deion's ex-wife Pilar Sanders keep them in the house.
Oprah’s bestie Gayle King and her rumored boyfriend Senator Cory Booker looked like a happy couple as they posed it up on the carpet.
"Good Morning America" co-host Robin Roberts and her longtime girlfriend Amber Laign (whom she opened up about this year) flashed their smiles on the carpet.
Director George Lucas and his wife Mellody Hobson came out to check out the film. Fab times.
And at another event...
Six-time Grammy award winner Toni Braxton slipped into a sexy black gown before hitting the carpet at the Urban League of Greater Atlanta’s 53rd Equal Opportunity Dinner in downtown Atlanta yesterday.
The “Braxton Family Values” star was honored with the Woman of Empowerment Award for her outstanding commitment to addressing autism (which one of her son’s has been diagnosed with), lupus and heart disease (two diseases she's living with).
During her acceptance speech, Toni made sure to thank everyone who attended the event and was overjoyed with being recognized for her efforts.
In the audience:
Toni's little sister Tamar Braxton and her mother Evelyn Braxton were there to support her for her accomplishment.
And of coure her sisters Trina Braxton (who is currently feuding with her estranged husband Gabe) and Towanda Braxton came out to support. They were spotted posing it up with Toni and "America's Next Top Model" winner Keith Carlos. Nice!
Photos: Getty/Paras Griffin