Tinseltown Takeover: Jawn Murray's Inside Track To Oscar Week

By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com

Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith, Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes at Essence Women in Hollywood Luncheon

Oscar week is one of the most exhilarating times in Hollywood!

You can feel the energy and the excitement in the city as soon as you get off the airplane at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

And though the Oscars and many of its staple celebrations lack diversity – (did anyone black really care that the Vanity Fair party was cancelled?) – Black publications and corporate companies recognize the need for diversity during Oscar Week and have capitalized off of it.

Check out Oscar Week through my eyes.

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Black Enterprise got the ball rolling last week with its annual salute to the Top 25 Hollywood Moneymakers during an invite-only bash.

Held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel, the soiree was hosted by Star Jones Reynolds and featured a performance by Black Eyes Peas member Will.i.am.

The rapper/producer also premiered his pro-Barack Obama music video 'Yes We Can' for the audience, who responded with a rousing ovation. DJ D-Nice and Malinda Williams at the Black Enterprise Oscar Party

B.E. was the first of many to honor legendary actress Rudy Dee during Oscar Week as well. She held court with friends and fellow actresses Della Reese and Ja'Net DuBois before commanding the noisy crowd with her captivating speech.

Old school and new school Black Hollywood packed out The Beverly Hilton ballroom, where the unofficial theme of the night was: "Now you see them, now you don't!"

Because of the abundance of talent in attendance, if you didn't stop to speak to someone right then and there, it was likely you would not see them again that night.

DJ D-Nice, who came with fiancée Malinda Williams, kept the crowd on the dance floor with his mix of hip-hop and R&B.

Carl Anthony Payne at the Black Enterprise Oscar Party Some notable highlights included seeing former Court TV talker Reynolds and television judge Mablean Ephriam sharing pleasantries... The always dapper Carl Anthony Payne ('Martin') made an appearance... Hollywood filmmakers John Singleton ('Boyz N Da Hood'/'Hustle & Flow') and Will Packer ('Stomp The Yard'/'This Christmas') networking... A newly brunette Rolonda Watts in an emerald blue gown.

The party was coordinated by L. Marilyn Crawford, President and CEO, Primetime Omnimedia, who has done spectacular events like this in the past.

(My colleague Karu F. Daniels has a detailed account of the Black Enterprise Oscar Party in his BV Newswire.)

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Essence magazine's Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon left an indelible impression on La La Land. This landmark celebration was spirited and inspirational and is bound to be one of Oscar Week's hottest tickets moving forward! Raven and Jawn Murray at the Essence Women in Hollywood Luncheon

The Lexus-sponsored luncheon at the über-posh Beverly Hills Hotel recognized actress Jurnee Smollett (Rising Star Award), mogul Suzanne de Passe (Visionary Award), Rudy Dee (Legend Award) and Jada Pinkett Smith (Power Award).

Will Smith at the Essence Women in Hollywood Luncheon Pinkett Smith brought the house to tears as she thanked God (and not Scientology) for helping her to overcome her hard-knock beginnings and guiding her rise to stardom in Hollywood.

Her husband, Will Smith, interrupted his wife's speech and said: "I'm an action hero and I'm up here crying. Stop! The people ain't going to feel safe no more!"

Afterwards, Smith, the most charismatic and engaging Hollywood personality you'll ever meet, told me that he's finished with making rap CDs. "I think I am done with music," he smiled, as me and Gail Mitchell of Billboard listened. Ledisi, Katie Holmes & Tom Cruise at the Essence Women in Hollywood Luncheon

Two-time Grammy nominee Ledisi dazzled the room with her performances of her single, 'Alright,' and The Beatle's classic, 'Yesterday.' (See the video below.)

In another shining moment, Oscar nominee Dee brought the room to laughter by poking fun at her age. "I'm delighted to be here. But when you've lived as long as I have, you're delighted to be anywhere," she said.

(Get details on who attended the Essence luncheon in the BV Newswire.)

Jawn Murray and Kerry Washington at the Essence Women in Hollywood Luncheon

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Ebony magazine transformed Hollywood hotspot Boulevard 3 into a chic setting for their annual Oscar bash.

The legendary magazine honored Denzel Washington, Rudy Dee, Quincy Jones and Queen Latifah, who was unable to make it because of her film schedule.

Shaun Robinson ('Access Hollywood') and Kevin Frazier ('Entertainment Tonight') hosted the event, while deejay Spinderella spun records to keep the party going. Kevin Frazier and Shaun Robinson at the Ebony Oscar Party

Natalie Cole (who is my wife in my head) attended the affair. The divine vocal stylist shared a bungalow overlooking the dance floor with girlfriends Vanessa Bell Calloway and Star Jones Reynolds.

Among the highlights included seeing George and Regina Daniels dancing to, of all things, R. Kelly's 'Step in the Name of Love' on the dance floor... Quincy Jones and Tyrese meeting for the first time and taking a photo together... The lovely Frenchie Davis made an appearance... Seeing actress Jackeé Harry and her ex-husband, hairstylist to the stars Elgin Charles out together.

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Jawn and Natalie Cole at the Ebony Oscar Party Gossip maven and Black Noir publisher Flo Anthony gave her first Oscar bash in partnership with Steve Marcano, Founder and CEO of My Lil Star.

The party was held at the Hyatt on Sunset and hosted by Vivica A. Fox.

I arrived at the shindig extremely late (that's a story within itself), but by the time I got there, Rockmond Dunbar ('Prison Break'), rapper Fredro Starr, actor Jason George ('Eve') and singer/reality show star Norwood Young were still partying it up.