Whoopi Goldberg, Andra Day Among 2021 Essence Black Women in Hollywood Honorees

Whoopi Goldberg and Andra Day (Credit: Shutterstock)

Whoopi Goldberg, Zendaya, Cynthia Erivo, Michaela Coel and Andra Day are this year’s honorees for the 14th annual Essence Black Women In Hollywood awards celebration.

“Essence is incredibly proud to celebrate all our Black Women in Hollywood honorees for their immense talent and achievements, as well as for being a voice for Black women everywhere in ways that may not always be apparent and in rooms where we may not always be present,” Essence Chief Strategy & Engagement Officer Latraviette D. Smith-Wilson said in a statement Tuesday.

The virtual event is scheduled for Thursday, April 22, and will be open to the public for the first time. Laverne Cox will host the ceremony, which is normally held the week leading up to the Oscars as an invite-only luncheon.

Related Story: Whoopi Goldberg Thinks Newly Announced ‘Sister Act 3’ Should Be Called ‘Blacker in the Habit’

Zendaya, Coel and Day have all been recognized throughout this year’s awards season in addition to being Essence honorees.

Zendaya, 24, was awarded the next gen award last month at the third annual Critics Choice Association’s “Celebration of Black Cinema” for her performance in Netflix’s Malcolm & Marie.

Last week Coel won the NAACP Image Award for outstanding writing in a comedy for her series I May Destroy You.

Newcomer Day has had a whirlwind awards season. Last month she received a Golden Globe for best actress in a motion picture drama for her performance in The United States vs. Billie Holiday. She is also nominated for an Oscar for her portrayal of Holiday, in her feature film debut. Day will be performing at the Black Women In Hollywood event.

Erivo, a previous Emmy and Tony Award winner, portrays Aretha Franklin in National Geographic’s newly released Genius: Aretha miniseries and Goldberg is a Hollywood legend in her own right after winning an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy and Tony Award.

The Essence Black Women In Hollywood event will stream on Thursday, April 22 from 7p.m.-10 p.m. ET on essencestudios.com and essence.com.


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