The 2023 Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans is a who’s who of influential black women in entertainment.
Oprah Winfrey, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks and Fantasia Barrino held a panel to discuss the heritage of the color purple.
Sheryl Lee Ralph, Coco Jones, Sunny Hostin, Sherri Shepherd, Kelly Rowland, Ari Lennox and Flo Milli also attended the festival, which runs June 30-July 2 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
Some of the best-known actresses, singers and musicians, considered the “epicenter of black joy, celebration and self-love,” perform at the event.
What Oprah, Taraji, Danielle and Fantasia have in common, however, are the two film adaptations of Alice Walker’s 1982 novel The Color Purple.
Queen of all media: The 2023 Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans is a who’s who of powerful black women in entertainment. Oprah Winfrey, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks and Fantasia Barrino held a panel to discuss the heritage of the color purple
Oprah, 69, looked sensational in a soft gray blouse and metallic silver pants. She wore her natural hair in neat curls and wore round glasses on her face.
Taraji, 52, showed off her curves in a sleeveless red, pink and white dress with an asymmetric hemline. She slipped on a pair of pretty pink sandals and had her hair braided in a crown-like braid.
Danielle, 33, stayed on topic for the 2023 version of The Color Purple, in which she plays Sofia (the role Oprah played in the 1985 film) in a jumpsuit with purple pants and a purple, pink patterned top , mint green and teal .
Fantasia, 39, cut a stunning figure in a form-fitting chrome sleeveless dress that fell to just below the knees. Her hair was styled in a gorgeous updo which completed her very elegant look.
Abbott Elementary’s Sheryl Lee Ralph, 66, looked a breath of fresh air in a white jumpsuit which she paired with a coral and teal wrap dress and matching teal shoes.
25-year-old singer Coco Jones looked stunning in a long, blue, sleeveless dress with a plunging scoop neckline. Her long brown hair was parted in the middle and cascaded down her torso in loose waves.
Sunny Hostin, 54, of The View had the honor of introducing Vice President Kamala Harris, 58, at the festival and she did so in classic style in a high-necked, long-sleeved, knee-length navy blue dress, which she paired with silver sandals and layered necklaces .
Sunny wore her hair half up, half down and in waves as she welcomed the first female Vice President of the United States onto the stage.
Curves ahead: Taraji, 52, showed off her curves in a sleeveless red, pink and white dress with an asymmetric hem. She slipped on a pair of pretty pink sandals and had her hair braided in a crown-like braid
Stunning: Sheryl Lee Ralph, 66, of Abbott Elementary, looked like a breath of fresh air in a white jumpsuit, which she paired with a coral and teal wrap dress and matching teal shoes
Chrome: Fantasia, 39, cut a stunning figure in a form-fitting chrome sleeveless dress that hit just below the knees. Her hair was styled in a gorgeous updo which completed her very elegant look
Color purple: Danielle, 33, stayed on topic in the 2023 version of The Color Purple, in which she plays Sofia (the role Oprah played in the 1985 film) in a jumpsuit with purple pants and a patterned purple top , pink and mint green and teal
Bombshell: Singer Coco Jones, 25, was gorgeous in a long, blue, sleeveless dress with a plunging scoop neckline. Her long brown hair was parted in the middle and cascaded down her torso in loose waves
Classic: Sunny Hostin, 54, of The View, had the honor of introducing Vice President Kamala Harris, 58, at the festival and she did so in classic style in a high-necked, long-sleeved, knee-length navy blue dress which she paired with silver sandals and layered necklaces.
Performing: Flo Milli performs at what has been dubbed the “Epicenter of Black Joy, Celebration and Self-Love” where some of the most notable actors, actresses, singers and musicians at the event perform
The Color Purple: Danielle, Fantasia, and Taraji all appeared in the remake of the 2023 film The Color Purple
Pretty in pink: Sherri Shepherd, 56, looked exuberant as she roamed the festival grounds in a sleeveless pink dress which she paired with a yellow shoulder bag.
Destiny’s Child: Destiny’s Child graduate Kelly Rowland, 42, looked stunning in a leopard print halterneck jumpsuit and matching over-the-elbow gloves. Her hair was styled straight and slicked back so that it fell down her back to emphasize her bright, sun-kissed makeup
Lady in red: Singer Ari Lennox, 32, also performed at the event in a long-sleeved mesh bodysuit with red fringes. Her raven hair was pulled back from her face in a topknot, allowing her long locks to flow down her shoulders and down her back
Sherri Shepherd, 56, looked exuberant as she strolled around the festival site in a sleeveless pink dress which she paired with a gold shoulder bag.
Rapper Flo Milli, 23, performed at the festival on Friday wearing a bodysuit with a black top and gunmetal bottoms. Her extraordinarily long raven hair was styled straight as she sang her hits to the audience.
Destiny’s Child graduate Kelly Rowland, 42, looked stunning in a leopard print halterneck jumpsuit and matching gloves over the elbows. Her hair was styled straight and slicked back so that it fell down her back to emphasize her bright, sun-kissed makeup.
Singer Ari Lennox, 32, also performed at the event in a long-sleeved mesh bodysuit with red fringes. Her raven hair was pulled back from her face in a topknot, allowing her long locks to flow down her shoulders and down her back.