HomeUSKerry Washington Tops the Best-Dressed List at the 2026 NAACP Image Awards

Kerry Washington Tops the Best-Dressed List at the 2026 NAACP Image Awards

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Kerry Washington, Teyana Taylor, and Halle Bailey captivated onlookers as they graced the red carpet at the NAACP Image Awards this year in Los Angeles. These talented stars joined a constellation of celebrities gathered to celebrate black excellence in the entertainment industry.

The Pasadena Civic Auditorium was the venue for the 57th annual ceremony, an event that shines a spotlight on outstanding achievements by black artists in various fields. Hosted by comedian Deon Cole, recognized for his work on “Black-ish” with two past NAACP Image Award nominations, the ceremony featured an impressive roster of 90 categories celebrating diverse talents.

Among the evening’s highlights was Kerry Washington, who, at 49, continues to embody grace and sophistication. Nominated for Best Actress in a Motion Picture for her role in “Shadow Force,” Washington turned heads with her choice of attire. She donned a strapless, full-length black gown, adding a touch of flair with a powder pink sash that elegantly transformed into a bow-tied train, draping gracefully to the floor.

Washington, 49, who is up for best actress in a motion picture for Shadow Force, was the image of elegant simplicity for her latest awards show.

She cut a regal figure with a strapless full-length black gown, topped with a powder pink sash that fell back into a luxurious bow-tied train, nearly brushing the floor.

Letting her luscious locks cascade freely over her shoulders, she held a clutch with an ‘ICE OUT’ pin attached to it and wore a set of drop earrings by Sabyasachi.

Kerry Washington was a showstopper on the red carpet amid the array of stars at this year's NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles

Celebrities galore, such as Halle Bailey, flocked to the Pasadena Civic Auditorium for the 57th edition of the annual ceremony celebrating black talent in showbiz

Kerry Washington (left) and Halle Bailey (right) were showstoppers on the red carpet amid the array of stars at this year’s NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles

Teyana Taylor, who has emerged as one of the toasts of this awards season for Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another, was a commanding presence Saturday

Teyana Taylor, who has emerged as one of the toasts of this awards season for Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, was a commanding presence Saturday

Bailey, 25, who shot to fame with her elder sister Chloe as the singing double-act Chloe + Halle, is part of the lineup of presenters for the evening.

She radiated glamour in a structured gown that brought back memories of the 1960s with the extravagant flared up fabric over shoulders and behind her neck. 

With a plunging neckline, a cut that flattered her willowy physique and print that appeared to be inspired by stained glass, Bailey’s dress made a distinct impression.

Meanwhile her sister was equally striking in a structured frock with sheer accents over the legs and wing-like extensions floating in front of her upper arms.

Teyana Taylor, who has emerged as one of the toasts of this awards season for Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, was a commanding presence Saturday.

Her obsidian-toned gown was finely rushed to give almost the impression of a flowing fluid, and featured an extravagant train dragging behind her on the floor. 

Before the ceremony began, she was able to get in a bit of mingling on the red carpet with Sinners star Delroy Lindo and his wife Nashormeh Lindo. 

Water hitmaker Tyla draped her enviably lithe figure in a simple raven gown, teamed with a lawyered pearl choker and a retro chic beehive hairdo.

Bringing out her luminous complexion with makeup, the South African pop star added an extra splash of glitz to the look with a couple of rings. 

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Do award shows like the NAACP Image Awards truly honor talent or just create buzz for celebrities?

NAACP Image Awards 2026 winners at a glance

Outstanding Motion Picture — Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture — Michael B. Jordan — Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture — Cynthia Erivo – Wicked: For Good (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Comedy Series — Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series — Cedric The Entertainer – The Neighborhood (CBS)

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series — Quinta Brunson — Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Outstanding Drama Series — Reasonable Doubt (Hulu)

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series — Sterling K. Brown — Paradise (ABC)

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series — Angela Bassett — 9-1-1 (ABC)

Entertainer of the Year — Michael B. Jordan

Outstanding New Artist — Monaleo – ‘Who Did the Body?’ (Columbia Records)

Outstanding Album — Am I The Drama? – Cardi B (Atlantic Records)

Outstanding Song – Soul/R&B — ‘It Depends’ – Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)

Outstanding Song — Hip-Hop/Rap — ‘ErrTime’ — Cardi B (Atlantic Records)

Outstanding Male Artist — Kendrick Lamar — ‘luther’ (pgLang under exclusive license to Interscope Records)

Outstanding Female Artist —Cardi B — Am I the Drama? (Atlantic Records)

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture

Miles Caton — Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures) — WINNER

 NAACP Chairman’s Award – Viola Davis

NAACP President’s Award – Colman Domingo

NAACP Image Awards’ Hall of Fame – Salt-N-Pepa and DJ Spinderella

Vanguard Award for Fashion – A$AP Rocky 

Washington cut a regal figure with a strapless full-length black gown, topped with a powder pink sash that fell back into a luxurious bow-tied train, nearly brushing the floor

Letting her luscious locks cascade freely over her shoulders, she accentuated the look with a sleek clutch and a set of drop earrings by Sabyasachi

Washington cut a regal figure with a strapless full-length black gown, topped with a powder pink sash that fell back into a luxurious bow-tied train, nearly brushing the floor

Bailey, 25, who shot to fame with her elder sister Chloe as the singing double-act Chloe + Halle, is part of the lineup of presenters for the evening

Bailey, 25, who shot to fame with her elder sister Chloe as the singing double-act Chloe + Halle, is part of the lineup of presenters for the evening 

She radiated glamour in a structured gown that brought back memories of the 1960s with the extravagant flared up fabric over shoulders and behind her neck

She radiated glamour in a structured gown that brought back memories of the 1960s with the extravagant flared up fabric over shoulders and behind her neck

Taylor's obsidian-toned gown was finely rushed to give almost the impression of a flowing fluid, and featured an extravagant train dragging behind her on the floor

Taylor’s obsidian-toned gown was finely rushed to give almost the impression of a flowing fluid, and featured an extravagant train dragging behind her on the floor

Before the ceremony began, she was able to get in a bit of mingling on the red carpet with Sinners star Delroy Lindo and his wife Nashormeh Lindo

Before the ceremony began, she was able to get in a bit of mingling on the red carpet with Sinners star Delroy Lindo and his wife Nashormeh Lindo

Keke Palmer, nominated for best actress in a movie for One of Them Days, looked bridal in an ethereal floor-length off-white gown

Keke Palmer, nominated for best actress in a movie for One of Them Days, looked bridal in an ethereal floor-length off-white gown

With a diaphanous train, feathery puffs around her wrists and a gently ruched midsection, the frock gave a distinctly nuptial impression

With a diaphanous train, feathery puffs around her wrists and a gently ruched midsection, the frock gave a distinctly nuptial impression

Viola Davis, nearly unrecognizable underneath a sleek bob with fringe that partly concealed her eyes, opted for a regal shade of purple 

Viola Davis, nearly unrecognizable underneath a sleek bob with fringe that partly concealed her eyes, opted for a regal shade of purple

Viola Davis, nearly unrecognizable underneath a sleek bob with fringe that partly concealed her eyes, opted for a regal shade of purple

She beamed as she hit the red carpet ahead of the awards ceremony, in which she was presented with this year's NAACP Chairman's Award

She beamed as she hit the red carpet ahead of the awards ceremony, in which she was presented with this year’s NAACP Chairman’s Award

Chloe Bailey was striking in a structured frock with sheer accents over the legs and wing-like extensions floating in front of her upper arms

Chloe Bailey was striking in a structured frock with sheer accents over the legs and wing-like extensions floating in front of her upper arms

Water hitmaker Tyla draped her enviably lithe figure in a simple raven gown, teamed with a lawyered pearl choker and a retro chic beehive hairdo

Bringing out her luminous complexion with makeup, the South African pop star added an extra splash of glitz to the look with a couple of rings

Water hitmaker Tyla draped her enviably lithe figure in a simple raven gown, teamed with a lawyered pearl choker and a retro chic beehive hairdo

Daphnee Duplaix, who was a Playboy centerfold in the 1990s, sizzled once again in a sequined dress with sheer stripes that offered a generous glimpse of her figure

Daphnee Duplaix, who was a Playboy centerfold in the 1990s, sizzled once again in a sequined dress with sheer stripes that offered a generous glimpse of her figure

Although she lost out on her personal acting prize to Wunmi Mosaku for Sinners, her hit sitcom Abbott Elementary did win outstanding comedy series

Although she lost out on her personal acting prize to Wunmi Mosaku for Sinners, her hit sitcom Abbott Elementary did win outstanding comedy series

Quinta Brunson, who created and stars on Abbott Elementary, brought a touch of autumn to the wintertime show in a dress made to resemble a bed of fallen leaves

Quinta Brunson, who created and stars on Abbott Elementary, brought a touch of autumn to the wintertime show in a dress made to resemble a bed of fallen leaves

Keke Palmer, nominated for best actress in a movie for One of Them Days, looked bridal in an ethereal floor-length off-white gown.

With a diaphanous train, feathery puffs around her wrists and a gently ruched midsection, the frock gave a distinctly nuptial impression.

Viola Davis, nearly unrecognizable underneath a sleek bob with fringe that partly concealed her eyes, opted for a regal shade of purple.

She beamed as she hit the red carpet ahead of the awards ceremony, in which she was presented with this year’s NAACP Chairman’s Award.

Daphnee Duplaix, who was a Playboy centerfold in the 1990s, sizzled once again in a sequined dress with sheer stripes that offered a generous glimpse of her figure. 

Janelle James, who was up for a motion picture supporting actress prize for One of Them Days starring Keke Palmer and SZA, glowed in a studded chrome look.

Although she lost out on her personal acting prize to Wunmi Mosaku for Sinners, her hit sitcom Abbott Elementary did win outstanding comedy series.

Quinta Brunson, who created and stars on Abbott Elementary, brought a touch of autumn to the wintertime show in a dress made to resemble a bed of fallen leaves.

Bridgerton heartthrob Rege-Jean Page rocked a black tuxedo with shimmering lapels, as well as a black dress shirt with no tie and a few top buttons beguilingly undone.

Sandra Denton, better known as Pepa from Salt-N-Pepa, was unmissable in a throwback chic suit with shoulder pads, flared cuffs and flowing trousers.

Bridgerton heartthrob Rege-Jean Page rocked a black tuxedo with shimmering lapels, as well as a black dress shirt with no tie and a few top buttons beguilingly undone

Bridgerton heartthrob Rege-Jean Page rocked a black tuxedo with shimmering lapels, as well as a black dress shirt with no tie and a few top buttons beguilingly undone

Sandra Denton, better known as Pepa from Salt-N-Pepa, was unmissable in a throwback chic suit with shoulder pads, flared cuffs and flowing trousers

Sandra Denton, better known as Pepa from Salt-N-Pepa, was unmissable in a throwback chic suit with shoulder pads, flared cuffs and flowing trousers

Deidra Roper, whom Salt-N-Pepa fans will also recognize as Spinderella, strutted her stuff in a monochrome look including an asymmetric mini with floor-length fringe

Deidra Roper, whom Salt-N-Pepa fans will also recognize as Spinderella, strutted her stuff in a monochrome look including an asymmetric mini with floor-length fringe

Uzo Aduba of Orange Is the New Black fame modeled a low-cut mermaid dress

Colman Domingo teamed a bright yellow outfit with splashily colorful cowboy boots

Uzo Aduba of Orange Is the New Black fame modeled a low-cut mermaid dress while Colman Domingo teamed a bright yellow outfit with splashily colorful cowboy boots

Some couples took the opportunity to turn the event into a date night, such as dashing Tyson star Michael Jai White and his wife of a decade Gillian

Some couples took the opportunity to turn the event into a date night, such as dashing Tyson star Michael Jai White and his wife of a decade Gillian

Deidra Roper, whom Salt-N-Pepa fans will also recognize as Spinderella, strutted her stuff in a monochrome look including an asymmetric mini with floor-length fringe. 

Uzo Aduba of Orange Is the New Black fame modeled a low-cut mermaid dress while Colman Domingo teamed a bright yellow outfit with splashily colorful cowboy boots. 

Some couples took the opportunity to turn the event into a date night, such as dashing Tyson star Michael Jai White and his wife of a decade Gillian.

Chase Infiniti’s ensemble gave a whiff of Jessica Rabbit, with its tantalizingly high thigh-slit, blood-red opera gloves and masses of feathery showgirl fringe.

Less than a month after his arrest, Don Lemon beamed triumphantly as he hit the red carpet holding hands with his real estate broker husband Tim Malone. 

NAACP Image Awards 2026 WINNERS

Outstanding Motion Picture

Highest 2 Lowest (A24)

One of Them Days (Sony Pictures Releasing)

Sarah’s Oil (Amazon MGM Studios)

Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures) — WINNER

Wicked: For Good (Universal Pictures)

 

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

Andre Holland – Love, Brooklyn (Greenwich Entertainment)

Denzel Washington – Highest 2 Lowest (A24)

Michael B. Jordan – Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures) — WINNER

Nnamdi Asomugha – The Knife (Relatively Media)

Tyriq Withers – HIM (Monkeypaw Productions) 

 

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture

Cynthia Erivo – Wicked: For Good (Universal Pictures) — WINNER

Danielle Deadwyler – 40 Acres (Magnolia Pictures)

Keke Palmer – One of Them Days (Sony Pictures Releasing)

Kerry Washington – Shadow Force (Lionsgate)

Tessa Thompson – Hedda (Amazon MGM Studios) 

 

Outstanding Comedy Series

Abbott Elementary (ABC) – WINNER

Harlem (Prime Video)

Survival of the Thickest (Netflix)

The Residence (Netflix)

The Upshaws (Netflix)

 

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series

Cedric The Entertainer – The Neighborhood (CBS) – WINNER

David Alan Grier – St. Denis Medical (NBC)

David Oyelowo – Government Cheese (Apple TV)

Mike Epps – The Upshaws (Netflix)

Vince Staples – The Vince Staples Show (Netflix) 

 

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series

Ayo Edebiri — The Bear (FX/Hulu)

Maya Rudolph — Loot (Apple TV)

Michelle Buteau — Survival of the Thickest (Netflix)

Quinta Brunson — Abbott Elementary (ABC) — WINNER

Uzo Aduba — The Residence (Netflix) 

 

Outstanding Drama Series

Bel-Air (Peacock)

Beyond the Gates (CBS)

Forever (Netflix)

Paradise (Hulu)

Reasonable Doubt (Hulu) — WINNER

 

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series

Forest Whitaker — Godfather of Harlem (MGM+)

Jabari Banks — Bel-Air (Peacock)

Michael Cooper Jr. — Forever (Netflix)

Morris Chestnut — Watson (CBS)

Sterling K. Brown — Paradise (ABC) — WINNER 

 

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series

Angela Bassett — 9-1-1 (ABC) — WINNER

Emayatzy Corinealdi – Reasonable Doubt (Hulu)

Lovie Simone – Forever (Netflix)

Patina Miller – Power Book III: Raising Kanan (STARZ)

Queen Latifah – The Equalizer (CBS)

 

Entertainer of the Year

Cynthia Erivo

Doechii 

Kendrick Lamar 

Michael B. Jordan — WINNER

Teyana Taylor 

Outstanding New Artist

Elmiene – ‘Useless Without You’ (Def Jam Recordings)

Lee Vasi – ‘Love Me to Life’ (Capitol CMG/Leeda Music Group)

Madison McFerrin – ‘Scorpio’ (MadMcFerrin Music LLC)

Monaleo – ‘Who Did the Body?’ (Columbia Records) – WINNER

Ravyn Lenae – ‘Bicycle Race’ (Atlantic Records) 

 

Outstanding Album

Am I The Drama? – Cardi B (Atlantic Records) – WINNER

Beloved – GIVĒON (Epic Records)

Let God Sort Em Out – Clipse, Pusha T, Malice (Roc Nation Distribution)

Mutt Deluxe: Heel – Leon Thomas (EZMNY Records/Motown Records)

SOS Deluxe: LANA – SZA (RCA Records/Top Dawg Entertainment) 

 

Outstanding Song – Soul/R&B

‘Folded’ – Kehlani (Atlantic Records)

‘Burning Blue’ – Mariah the Scientist (Epic Records)

‘It Depends’ – Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment) — WINNER

‘Yes It Is’ – Leon Thomas (EZMNY Records/Motown Records)

‘Bed of Roses’ – Teyana Taylor (Def Jam Recordings) 

 

Outstanding Song – Hip-Hop/Rap

‘Anxiety’ – Doechii (Top Dawg Entertainment/Capitol Records)

‘Chains & Whips’ – Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell Williams, Pusha T, Malice (Roc Nation Distribution)

‘ErrTime’ – Cardi B (Atlantic Records) – WINNER

‘Ride (Remix)’ – Chance the Rapper feat. Do or Die & Twista (CTR LLC)

‘Typa’ – GloRilla (CMG/Interscope Records) 

 

Outstanding Male Artist

Bryson Tiller – ‘Solace’ & ‘The Vices’ (RCA Records/TrapSoul)

Chris Brown – ‘It Depends’ feat. Byrson Tiller (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)

GIVÄ’ON – ‘Beloved’ (Epic Records)

Kendrick Lamar – ‘luther’ (pgLang under exclusive license to Interscope Records) – WINNER

Leon Thomas – MUTT Deluxe: Heel (EZMNY Records/Motown Records) 

 

Outstanding Female Artist

Alex Isley – ‘Hands’ (Warner Records)

Cardi B – Am I the Drama? (Atlantic Records) – WINNER

Doechii – ‘Anxiety’ (Top Dawg Entertainment/Capitol Records)

SZA – SOS Deluxe: LANA (RCA Records/Top Dawg Entertainment)

Teyana Taylor – Escape Room (Def Jam Recordings)

 

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture

A$AP Rocky — Highest 2 Lowest (A24)

Chase Infiniti — One Battle After Another (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Miles Caton — Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures) — WINNER

Tabitha Brown — Unexpected Christmas (3 Diamonds Films)

Tyriq Withers — HIM (Monkeypaw Productions)

 NAACP Chairman’s Award – Viola Davis

NAACP President’s Award – Colman Domingo

NAACP Image Awards’ Hall of Fame – Salt-N-Pepa and DJ Spinderella

Vanguard Award for Fashion – A$AP Rocky 

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