The 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Looks That Still Have Us Obsessed

Jason LaVeris/WireImage By Mecca Pryor ·Updated March 5, 2026 < /> Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…

Ten years ago, in 2016, “Work” by Rihanna featuring Drake was on constant repeat. Brows were thicker and darker than ever, and platform stilettos were practically non-negotiable—extra points if they came with some kind of spiked embellishment. More importantly, it was the 9th year of ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood. And, of course, Black stars came with their best looks. 

We’re taking a look back nearly a decade to 2016, as fashion and beauty from the era has recently begun trending on everyone’s mood boards again. Lately, people have even been buying old iPhone 5s and iPhone 3GS models to capture photos with the same nostalgic, slightly grainy quality that defined the time. It’s a collective return to simpler moments—and the looks that defined them.

Some standout >Zendaya stepped out in a signature Christian Louboutin So Kate heel—still a favorite of hers on red carpets today—paired with a red satin sleeveless suit, dotted with tiny white polka dots. Another memorable look came from director and screenwriter Mara Brock Akil, who wore a black satin slouchy blouse with a shiny green accordion->Serayah opted for a green dress featuring a sweetheart neckline, black choker detailing, and a peplum->Jurnee Smollett kept things sleek in a strapless white jumpsuit with wide-leg trousers,src="https://media.essence.com/vxcjywbwpa/uploads/2026/03/GettyImages-512306316-scaled.jpg" alt="The 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Looks That Still Have Us Obsessed" width="400" height="586" />BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 25:Zendaya attends the Essence 9th annual Black Women In Hollywood event at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 25, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.(Photo by Jason LaVeris/WireImage)BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 25:Kelly Rowland attends the Essence 9th annual Black Women In Hollywood event at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 25, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.(Photo by Jason LaVeris/WireImage)BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 25:Mara Brock Akil attends the Essence 9th annual Black Women In Hollywood event at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 25, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.(Photo by Jason LaVeris/WireImage)BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 25:Actress Tika Sumpter arrives at the Essence 9th Annual Black Women event in Hollywood at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 25, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.(Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 25:Television Personality Evelyn Lozada arrives at the Essence 9th Annual Black Women event in Hollywood at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 25, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.(Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 25:Actress Iman Milner arrives at the Essence 9th Annual Black Women event in Hollywood at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 25, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.(Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 25:Essence Magazine Editor Mikki Taylor arrives at the Essence 9th Annual Black Women event in Hollywood at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 25, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.(Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 25: Actress Nicole Ari Parker arrives at the Essence 9th Annual Black Women event in Hollywood at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 25, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.(Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 25:Actor Boris Kodjoe arrives at the Essence 9th Annual Black Women event in Hollywood at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 25, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.(Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 25:Actress Jurnee Smollett-Bell arrives at the Essence 9th Annual Black Women event in Hollywood at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 25, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.(Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 25:TV Show Host Shaun Robinson arrives at the Essence 9th Annual Black Women event in Hollywood at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 25, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.(Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 25:Actor Chris Rock arrives at the Essence 9th Annual Black Women event in Hollywood at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 25, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.(Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 25:Actress Serayah McNeill arrives at the Essence 9th Annual Black Women event in Hollywood at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 25, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.(Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 25: TV Personality Actress La La Anthony arrives at the Essence 9th Annual Black Women event in Hollywood at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 25, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.(Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 25:Actress Keke Palmer arrives at the Essence 9th Annual Black Women event in Hollywood at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 25, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.(Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 25: Actress Amber Riley arrives at the Essence 9th Annual Black Women event in Hollywood at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 25, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.(Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 25:Cookie Johnson arrives at the Essence 9th Annual Black Women event in Hollywood at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 25, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.(Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 25:LeToya Luckett attends the Essence 9th annual Black Women In Hollywood event at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 25, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.(Photo by Jason LaVeris/WireImage)BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 25:Actress Garcelle Beauvais and Oprah Winfrey attends the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood awards luncheon at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 25, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.(Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for ESSENCE)BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 25: Actress Tia Mowry attends the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood awards luncheon at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 25, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.(Photo by Earl Gibson III/Getty Images for ESSENCE)BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 25:Actress Meagan Good attends the Essence 9th annual Black Women In Hollywood event at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 25, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.(Photo by Jason LaVeris/WireImage)BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 25:Singer Kelly Rowland (L) and Host Lala Anthony attend the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood awards luncheon at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 25, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.(Photo by Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

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