Halle Bailey Shines Light On Halo Pregnancy In Essence Speech

Essence Black Women In Hollywood Awards is hands down one of our favorite events during awards season and this years vibes were definitely high.

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The 17th annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood® Awards were held on Thursday, March 7, 2024 at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles.

Source: Robin L Marshall / Getty Images for ESSENCE

Following a touching moment with her sister Chloe, Halle Bailey shared a soul-stirring speech reflecting on what she has described as her greatest achievement – being a mother to her son “Halo”.

“We are Black women in entertainment, and although we signed up for the challenges of the spotlight, in this current climate, that spotlight burns brighter, hotter, and uninterrupted, whereas the scrutiny of its magnification leaves no concealment,” she told the room.

“I’ve learned from that spotlight over the past eight years. I’ve also, if I’m being honest, been burned by it, too, as we all have,” she said, referencing the racist backlash she faced following the announcement she’d been cast as Ariel in The Little Mermaid.

Bailey acknowledged that while the role changed her life, “it cannot compare to the biggest joy of my life. And that was becoming a mom to my perfect little angel Halo.” She continued by opening up about her decision to keep her pregnancy private.

“There was no way in hell I was going to share the biggest joy of my world with anyone. Halo was my gift. He is the greatest blessing, and I had no obligation to expose him, me, or my family to that,” she shared.

“With the state of the world and the place it is in with men trying to force their will on our bodies, no one on social media, and for damn sure, no one on the planet, was going to tell me what to do with my body or what to share with the world,” she said.

“Do y’all remember when Prince Z David Marley [Zion David Marley], who came from a queen named Lauryn Hill, entered the world? Do you remember how private Beyoncé was about her pregnancy? We have that right,” she said. “Every woman in the world has that right to choose what to do with their bodies and what to share with anyone or everyone.”

“So thank you. Thank you to some of the strong women in my life, like my beautiful sisters standing here on the stage with me for setting examples in resilience, confidence, and independence,” she said.

Okay now Halle! That’s how you stand on business!

Hit the flip for more from the event.

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The style story for this year’s ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood® Awards leaned more toward a cool girl aesthetic than previous years’ girlier vibes.

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A lot of ladies chose to wear metallics, like Zendaya, who rocked a dressy bustier with jeans.

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We also noticed several of our faves opted for white attire, like Lauren London for example.

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Sistas star Crystal Renee Hayslett and American Fiction leading lady Erika Alexander both went with white pantsuits.

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They both look incredibly chic.

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Raising Dion star Alisha Wainwright also went with a white ‘fit, but hers had a more whimsical feel.

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And Cari Champion definitely got the memo — exuding chicness from her silk press to her white jumpsuit and silver sandaled feet.

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Acclaimed screenwriter and showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll, who was also an honoree this year, opted for a pale blue look with metallic touches.

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Since we’re talking about metallics we HAVE got to talk Serayah McNeill, who stunned in this champagne foil leather look.

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Andra Day’s two-piece print look also heavily incorporated metals.

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Amber Riley served up BAWDY in silver sequins.

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Both Academy Award-nominated actress and Grammy Award winner honoree Danielle Brooks and Teyonah Parris decided to go for gold.

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Honoree Danielle Brooks received a standing ovation after she sung the gospel melody, “I won’t complain” to accept her award.

Stunning.

More looks when you continue

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That’s not to say there wasn’t plenty of color on display. Industry powerhouse Kathryn Busby, President of Original Programming for STARZ, who was also honored looked radiant in an eye-popping shade of yellow.

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Lex Scott and Christina Elmore also picked up the lemon vibes.

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Citrus was winning, okay?

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Karen Pittman heard about that ORANGE and made it do what it do when it meets melanin.

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Activist and model Marley Dias looked lovely in turquoise and pink.

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Marsai Martin slayed in sparkly green and feathery lilac.

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Like Halle Bailey, Muni Long was thinking pink.

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The Grammy-winner closed the show with her hit song, “Made for Me” bringing the crowd to their feet.

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Dominique Perry also went pink and feathery.

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Raven Goodwin chose to wear her hot pink with some fringe — and pops of orange on the accessories.

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Cassandra Freeman also color-blocked orange and pink. Beautiful right?

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Yvonne Orji also opted for a soft pink

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You’ll never get left on read while wearing red if you’re Skye Townsend

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Kat Graham

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Patina Miller

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Or Tamera Mowry-Housely!

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While The Color Purple star Phylicia Pearl Mpasi did not wear the color purple — it might actually have been our favorite shade on the scene.

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Shannon Thornton KILLED it in her lilac look.

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Gabrielle Dennis SLAYED in this darker shade.

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Adina Porter literally put on a lesson for how to dress for this event! Are y’all paying attention?

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Speaking of attention — do you know who got ours? Tunde Oyeneyin. Period. PURR! Look her up. She literally just spoke our love language in clothes.

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Purple was THAT girl okay. Ask actress Danielle Pinnock about it.

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Ask Snowfall star Michael Hyatt.

Can we rest our case or do you want more??? Of course you want more. Keep clicking to see how the men were looking.

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We’ve got to start with Essence Black Women In Hollywood Awards host, celebrated actor, Grammy Award-winning rapper and entrepreneur, Cliff “Method Man” Smith. Looking good enough to eat.

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Jeremy Pope — boy do we love chocolate.

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Aldis Hodge – yes indeed.

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Wendell Pierce, Edward Lew, Boris Kodjoe and Hill Harper.

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Don’t sleep on Tre Hale y’all

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Jessie T. Usher looking like a Saint West meme…

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We’re going to try and resist the urge to call Cory Hardrict shiny suit man

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Let’s not neglect the loverssss. Black Love was on full display with couples such as actor and rapper Joey Bada$$ and singer & actress Serayah.

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BET’s Sistas and Zatima actor, Devale Ellis and wife Khadeen Ellis

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Janelle Snowden and Doug E. Fresh doubled up with D-Nice and Jennifer Freeman.

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The couple whose wedding broke the internet last year, KJ Smith and Skyh Black.

More photos when you continue.

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Erika Alexander joined fellow actress, Kim Cole and renowned TV writer and producer, Yvette Lee Bowser, on the carpet as they delved into nostalgic memories from ‘Living Single’, which recently hit a 30-year milestone.

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Kathryn Busby and all her STARZ babies…

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Did somebody say something about the yams touching the mac’n’cheese? Whew! Tika Sumpter + Shannon Thornton is tew much pressure!

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Bey’s favorite ladies — Angie Beyince and “Mama” Tina Knowles had to pull up.

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Law Roach, Kat Graham and Shameik Moore all looking great.

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All smiles for Gabourey Sidibe and Danielle Brooks

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Nkechi with her All-American and All-American: Homecoming stars Bre-Z and Cory Hardrict.

Check out more Essence Black Women In Hollywood moments when you continue.

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One thing about Black… you can always bet on it for any event, as Tina Knowles demonstrated

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Angela Beyince ladies and gentlemen!

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Kiki Layne looks good in leather

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As does Michaela J. Rodriguez!

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Ms. Pat brought a pop of red to this stunning black suit.

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Loni Love looked lovely in her black gown with sheer cutouts and a slit to show a lil leg.

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Kings of Napa creator Janine Sherman Barrois embodied the cool girl in her maxi sweater dress and snakeskin boots

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We love us some Gia Peppers. She also put a fun spin on a black pantsuit with sparkles that shine just like her!

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Media girl and entrepreneur Tai Beauchamp smoldered on the brown carpet in a Black tuxedo blazer over a netted skirt.

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We didn’t want to neglect Amber Chardae Robinson, who looked stunning in this print maxi

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Essence CEO Caroline Wanga always brings it

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Adamma Ebo and Adanne Ebo brought a lot of color to the party

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This royal blue though on Osas Ighodaro!

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Skai Jackson knows how to throw a fit

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Fatima Robinson and Bethann Hardison are always fashion killas.

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‘Swarm’ writer Janine Nabers embraced an orangey rust look.

To catch all of the festivities from this year’s event, the 17th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood® Red Carpet and Awards Ceremony will air on Friday, March 15th, at 9/8c on OWN, and stream on Max.