N.A.A.C.P. IMAGE AWARDS

GOLDEN NIGHT FOR ‘THE COLOR PURPLE’

Stars lit up the red carpet at this year’s National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Image Awards, with actor Idris Elba and his model wife Sabrina (left) among the glamorous guests.

Director Blitz Bazawule’s musical version of The Color Purple swept the board at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, taking home four awards including Outstanding Motion Picture and Taraji P Henson being named Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture.

Taraji, 53, used her speech to thank those who had supported her when she spoke out about Hollywood’s race and gender pay gap last year. “It’s a scary thing to speak your truth, but that’s all we have,” she said. “The truth will set you free. And not only that, it will set somebody else free.”

Her co-stars Colman Domingo and Fantasia Barrino were also in the pink, taking home the prizes for Outstanding Actor and Actress in a Motion Picture.

A stunned Fantasia said: “I don’t even have a speech, because I didn’t think I was going to win.” After paying tribute to her late grandmother and her mother, she thrilled the crowd with a rendition of To God Be the Glory.

From the world of TV, Damson Idris, India Amarteifio, Ayo Edebiri and Quinta Brunson were among those who emerged victorious, while R&B singer Usher was presented with the President’s Award, the night’s special honour given for his “unparalleled talent and remarkable contributions” to entertainment.

He was also named Entertainer of the Year, with talk-show host Oprah Winfrey (left, with the star) presenting the prize.

“I guess all great things start from Oprah Winfrey. When I was a kid, I made my start on your show,” he said.

Also present were The Little Mermaid star Halle Bailey (right) and fellow actresses Keke Palmer, in a classic tuxedo, and Kerry Washington, wearing Vivienne Westwood (together below with Taraji, in yellow Del Core).