Beverly Hills, Calif. When the movie you’re starring in is nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, you keep quiet when asked if you have a favorite contender.
Layla Crawford, who played Williams’ sister Lyndria Price in the Oscar-nominated “King Richard,” joked, “I don’t think we’re allowed (the answer).” Daughters Venus and Serena Williams.
Crawford, a 17-year-old spirited, spoke to USA TODAY Thursday during the gold carpet before Essence magazine’s Black Women in Hollywood Awards, sharing that “it means a lot” to being surrounded by women he’s seen in the industry. , Coming as a child actor.
After going virtual in 2021 due to the pandemic, a list of celebrities in sunny weather outside the Crawford and Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Bright colours, bold patterns and maskless faces graced the gold carpet on Thursday morning. Ahead of Oscars weekend, celebs hugged, mingled and just celebrated each other.
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“King Richard” executive producer Serena Williams walked the carpet in a hot pink mini dress with her 4-year-old daughter, Olympia Ohanian, who wore a checkered floral dress.
Nominated for Best Supporting Actress for “King Richard” and an Essence honor, the woman at the time, Aunjanue Ellis, wore a royal red pantsuit with a matching cap blazer fit for a queen. At the awards ceremony, Will Smith gave a speech introducing Ellis to the stage. “There’s a fierce, great integrity at the core of Anjaneya,” Smith said.
Smith has also been nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of Williams’s patriarch. Crawford shares his excitement for the upcoming Oscars ceremony. “We’ve been waiting for the Oscars since we wrapped filming,” says Crawford. “King Richard” has been nominated for a total of six awards.
And because you’ve got your expression powers to work at Oscars week: Danielle Lawson, 17, who plays Venus and Serena’s big sister, says knows “‘King Richard’ is going to win, but it’s great to see the world love our film.”
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Says Crawford, “We’re getting Will, Anjonew, our entire cast, and Beyoncé to sing her songs for each other, so it doesn’t really matter that we’re happy with the result.”
Beyoncé is nominated for “Be Alive,” the theme song she wrote (with songwriter Dixon) for “King Richard” and will perform at the Oscars on Sunday. This is the “Lemonade” singer’s first Oscar nomination.
Crawford and Lawson also shared the impact Alice had on them.
Lawson says, “Miss Anjaneya has done so many films and has had such a wonderful career…
He was not the only one to praise her on the carpet on Thursday.
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“Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Kandi Burruss says the work Alice is doing is “incredible.” Ellis has appeared in Netflix’s “When They See Us”, the 2018 film “If Beale Street Could Talk” and HBO’s “Lovecraft Country” and is currently working on AMC’s “61st Street” to premiere in April. Huh.
“I love her, she’s killing it,” Burruss says.
“Glee” actress and singer Amber Riley talks about inspiring other young black women to chase their dreams and claim a seat at the table. “Many of the women we’re honoring today that I see on the red carpet are people I’ve seen that made me feel like I could do it, so I really hope that When people see me fighting for these roles … that they see me and they get inspired,” Riley says.
In Alice, Riley says: “I love her and I’m so glad she’s getting her flowers because she deserves it.”
Other honorees at Thursday’s luncheon included famed Nia Long, “Abbott Elementary” star and producer Quinta Brunson, and “A Journal for Jordan” actress Chantey Adams.
now, riley Was Allowed to screen your favorite Oscar-nominated film this season. But of course, he was “King Richard,” she says.
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Contribution: Anika Reed