Star Gazing: 82nd Annual Golden Globes, New Year’s Eve Celebrations, Kelly Rowland, Cardi B And More
From Presidential Medals to Hollywood galas, Black stars were heralded for their extraordinary contributions this week.
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 04: Kelly Rowland attends the Paramount Golden Globe Nominee Celebration at Cipriani Beverly Hills on January 04, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Paramount via Getty Images)
This week was filled with standout moments celebrating Black stars across industries. President Joe Biden announced the 2025 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, with Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Denzel Washington, and others being honored for their remarkable contributions to society. Johnson’s philanthropic work and Washington’s decades-long advocacy for youth through the Boys & Girls Clubs of America cemented their legacy beyond their iconic careers.
In Palm Springs, the 36th International Film Awards spotlighted Colman Domingo, who received the Spotlight Award, Actor for his gripping performance in Sing Sing. The prestigious event kicked off the Palm Springs International Film Festival with a star-studded lineup. Meanwhile, Viola Davis was celebrated at the Golden Globes’ inaugural Golden Gala on Friday night, receiving the coveted Cecil B. DeMille Award in a special prelude to Sunday’s 82nd Annual Golden Globes. The live broadcast featured appearances by Morris Chestnut, Cynthia Erivo, Zendaya, Quinta Brunson, and more, showcasing the range of Black talent in Hollywood today.
From high-profile honors to dazzling awards shows, let’s take a look at the Black stars in entertainment, sports, and activism who shined from coast to coast.
Zendaya exudes golden age glamour.
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 05: Zendaya attends the 2025 Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 05, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic)
Zoe Saldaña poses with her award.
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 05: Zoe Saldana, winner of the Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role In Any Motion Picture Award for “Emilia Pérez”, poses in the press room during the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 05, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/WireImage)
Viola Davis and Julius Tennon on the red carpet.
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 05: (L-R) Viola Davis and Julius Tennon attend the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 05, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)
Morris shows love to Pamela.
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 05: (L-R) Pamela Chestnut and Morris Chestnut attend the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 05, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)
Janelle James in black.
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 05: Janelle James attends the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 05, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)
Aunjanue Ellis attends the 82nd Annual Golden Globes.
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 05: Aunjanue Ellis attends the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 05, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)
Zoe Saldana’s full ensemble.
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 05: Zoe Saldana attends the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 05, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Quinta Brunson in Los Angeles.
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 05: Quinta Brunson attends the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 05, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/WireImage)
Colman Domingo waves at the camera.
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 05: Colman Domingo attends the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 05, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/WireImage)
Pretty in pink.
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 05: Kerry Washington attends the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 05, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/WireImage)
Zuri Hall shines bright in all white.
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 05: Zuri Hall attends the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 05, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)
actress Ayo Edebiri arrives.
British actress Ayo Edebiri arrives for the 82nd annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on January 5, 2025. (Photo by Etienne Laurent / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)
Cynthia Erivo.
British actress, singer Cynthia Erivo arrives for the 82nd annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on January 5, 2025. (Photo by Etienne LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)
Zoe Kravitz at the Golden Globes.
US actress Zoe Kravitz arrives for the 82nd annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on January 5, 2025. (Photo by Etienne LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)
Viola Davis is ready for her honor.
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 03: Viola Davis attends “82nd Annual Golden Globes Hosts Golden Gala: An Evening of Excellence honoring Viola Davis and Ted Danson” at The Beverly Hilton on January 03, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
Glynn Turman at the Golden Gala.
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 03: Glynn Turman attends “82nd Annual Golden Globes Hosts Golden Gala: An Evening of Excellence honoring Viola Davis and Ted Danson” at The Beverly Hilton on January 03, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
Babyface in Beverly Hills.
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 03: Babyface attends “82nd Annual Golden Globes Hosts Golden Gala: An Evening of Excellence honoring Viola Davis and Ted Danson” at The Beverly Hilton on January 03, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
Reginae Carter attends Lil Baby’s listening party.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JANUARY 3: Reginae Carter attends Lil Baby’s “WHAM” Private Album Listening Party on January 3, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage)
2 Chainz in ATL.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JANUARY 3: Rapper 2 Chainz attends Lil Baby’s “WHAM” Private Album Listening Party on January 3, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage)
Colman Domingo attends the 36th Annual Palm Springs International Film Awards.
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 03: Colman Domingo attends the 36th Annual Palm Springs International Film Awards at Palm Springs Convention Center on January 03, 2025 in Palm Springs, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Palm Springs International Film Society)
Tracee Ellis Ross attends the 2025 WWD Style Awards.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 03: Tracee Ellis Ross attends the 2025 WWD Style Awards, Golden Globes at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on January 03, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/WWD via Getty Images)
Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Tracee Ellis Ross.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 03: (L-R) Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Tracee Ellis Ross attend the 2025 WWD Style Awards, Golden Globes at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on January 03, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/WWD via Getty Images)
Quinta Brunson.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 03: Quinta Brunson attends the 2025 WWD Style Awards, Golden Globes at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on January 03, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/WWD via Getty Images)
Jimmy Akingbola and Melanie Liburd in LA.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 03: (L-R) Jimmy Akingbola and Melanie Liburd attend the 2025 WWD Style Awards, Golden Globes at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on January 03, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/WWD via Getty Images)
Cardi B celebrates New Year’s Eve in Miami.
MIAMI, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 31: Cardi B celebrates New Year’s Eve at E11EVEN Miami on December 31, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Jason Koerner/Getty Images for E11EVEN)
Mannie Fresh and Juvenile perform.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 1: Mannie Fresh and Juvenile perform on stage during the second annual New Year’s Eve Celebration at Saenger Theatre on January 1, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kaitlyn Morris/Getty Images)
Jaylen Barron and Coco Jones sit court side.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 31: Jaylen Barron (L) and Coco Jones attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Crypto.com Arena on December 31, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)
Magic Johnson smiles while receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 4: Former NBA player Earvin “Magic” Johnson gestures while receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from U.S. President Joe Biden in the East Room of the White House on January 4, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Biden is awarding 18 recipients with the nation’s highest civilian honor. (Photo by Tom Brenner/Getty Images)
Denzel receives his medal from President Joe Biden.
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 4: Actor Denzel Washington is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by U.S. President Joe Biden in the East Room of the White House on January 4, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Biden is awarding 19 recipients with the nation’s highest civilian honor. (Photo by Tom Brenner/Getty Images)
T-Boz and Chili in NYC.
Tionne Tenese Watkins, Rozonda Thomas at Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2025 held in Times Square on December 31, 2024 in New York, New York. (Photo by Kristina Bumphrey/Penske Media via Getty Images)
Hip-Hop in full effect at Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.
In this image released on December 31, 2024, Fat Joe, Slick Rick, Ja Rule, Doug E. Fresh, DJ Cassidy perform onstage at Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2025. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Penske Media via Getty Images)
Tinashe performs onstage for NYE.
In this image released on December 31, 2024, Tinashe performs onstage at Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2025. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Penske Media via Getty Images)
