WINNERS CIRCLE: Pharrell Williams & Cynthia Erivo Snatch Up Trophies At Hollywood Film Awards

The winners circle! Pharrell Williams and Cynthia Erivo were honored at the 23rd annual Hollywood Film Awards. More inside...

Awards season is upon us!

Stars aligned at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills to honor this year’s honorees during the 23rd annual Hollywood Film Awards. It’s one of the biggest nights in film and a few YBF stars scooped up awards for their talents.

Singer Alicia Keys presented superproducer Pharrell Williams with the Hollywood Song Award for “Letter to My Godfather,” a track for the 2019 Netflix documentary, The Black Godfather, which depicted the story of music executive Clarence Avant.

Alicia Keys began her tribute to P by recognizing all of the love in the room, before Williams delivered a powerful speech focusing on the unparalleled contributions made by Clarence Avant. He said that he has opened doors when others would glue them shut and has consistently demanded equality throughout his career.

Congrats, P!

Oscar winning actress Viola Davis was tapped to present Cynthia Erivo the Breakout Actress Award. The British starlet has been killing it at the box office and on Broadway. Her new movie HARRIET just hit theaters last week.

Everyone wasn't happy about Cynthia playing abolitionist Harriet Tubman, especially after comments she made about African-Americans. You can catch up HERE in case you missed.

If you haven't heard, Cynthia is gearing up to play legendary singer Aretha Franklin in season three of Nat Geo’s EMMY winning anthology series “Genius.”

Businesswoman Bozoma Saint John paid tribute to Cynthia on social media:

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a privilege it is to be a friend to THIS woman @cynthiaerivo. ⁣ ⁣ She is the embodiment of grace, resilience, and raw talent purified into greatness through the proverbial blood, sweat and tears. I find it no coincidence that the Hollywood Film Awards presented her with the prestigious Breakthrough Actress honor tonight, on the Sunday of opening weekend of her lead role in @harrietfilm. She has faced her fair share of criticism and controversy for playing this part, and I’ve been on the FaceTime calls, text messages and group chats on which she has railed against those who would try to bring her down, but she has held firm to her faith, her God given superior talent, and her courage to keep persevering. If any of you reading this now need a reminder and a testimony about the power of persistence... all you need to do is look at this woman... and watch as she collects all the good things that continue to come her way. Although she is already an Emmy, Grammy and Tony winner, she doesn’t sit on her laurels— she throws her whole spirit into her work— and therefore I know this is only the beginning of the many awards she has begun to accumulate. ⁣ ⁣ Tonight, it was my honor to accompany her to cheer loudly (as only a West African sister can do ooooo!) and to sit in the company of the team that brought Harriet to life, and listen as @violadavis lauded her achievements. ⁣ ⁣ My dearest Cynthia... go forth... and SHOW DEM PEPPEH!!! Congratulations.⁣ ⁣ #SisterhoodIsAVerb⁣ #SistersSupportingSisters⁣ #WAVsForHarriet⁣ #WeAreAllAfrican⁣ #AndWeDidNotFightAboutJollof⁣ #ThereWasNoJollofAtThisFunction⁣ #WestAfricanVoltron⁣ ⁣ And special thanks to my super squad of dynamic women who made me feel like the goddess I am to help cheer on the goddess of Cynthia:⁣ ⁣ Styled by @negar_ali_kline ⁣ Dress by @azeeza @azeezaofficial ⁣ Glam by @taiyoungstyle ⁣ Crown by @reign.mari.hair ⁣ Nails by @heyquisa

A post shared by Bozoma Saint John (@badassboz) on Nov 3, 2019 at 8:38pm PST

 

Film/television producer Debra Martin Chase was in the mix to celebrate. Baddie!

Actor Vondie Curtis-Hall and his wife Kasi Lemmons also came out to show love.

Photos: Getty

source: theybf