Lights? Check. Cameras? Check. Living legends, Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight, delivering another spell bounding and breath taking performance? DOUBLE CHECK!...
This weekend, all stars aligned for several people in Bentonville, Arkansas who attended a live viewing black tie event for the 45th Annual NAACP Image Awards.
The event, hosted by the world's largest retailer Wal-Mart and TV One, brought out all the stops for attendees by dishing out the 3 things that make star studded affairs go 'round; good food, good music, and great fun!
Some of Hollywood's best flew in to "Hog" country to attend the viewing, which honored outstanding people of color in music, film, television, and literature. Before the night's festivities began, a few of our favorite A-Listers hit the blue carpet to dish out tea on the importance of beauty, and why shows like the NAACP Image Awards are beneficial for our communities.
One of the first to walk the blue carpet was Ms. Gladys Knight. The Empress of Soul came dressed to impress, wearing an off the shoulder sparkling black Tadashi Shoji gown with cocktail rings to match. When asked what beauty meant to her, Knight replied, "It means inner things first with me. No matter what you look like, no matter what color you are, that to me is where beauty shines first."
Gorgeous and modelesque Tai Beauchamp also came through and gave her take on why it's important for corporations like Wal-Mart to get involved with the Image Awards.
"I think you know, as African Americans [the Image awards] recognizes our own growth and our own progress, and celebrating that is really important because [like I was saying before about heritage] it's not just about now, it's about what's coming, so it means a lot to celebrate where we are, where we were, and where we're going."
When speaking about the support the NAACP gives artists, actor Laz Alonso had this to say:
"I give them a lot of credit...It wasn't too long ago that they were actually speaking out on behalf of having more faces of color on T.V., and as a result Hollywood listened, and a lot of us got some great opportunities."
Before taking the stage, living legend Patti LaBelle was spotted hitting the carpet, and like her good friend Ms. Gladys, LaBelle talked about beauty being something that comes from within. "It's on the inside. It's not an outer thing...It's about the beauty within."
After blue carpet arrivals, the night turned into a no holds barred type of zone for the powerhouse legends who left their blood, sweat and tears all over the stage! First to perform was the show stopping, shoe slangin' Ms. Patti, who immediately demanded the audiences attention by singing one of her many upbeat tunes "New Attitude."
The powerful soprano had audience members up from their seats as she sang a slew of her chart topping hits, and also used the time to remind us all of who the originator of the upbeat tune "Lady Marmalade" was. "You know, Christina Aguilera, Lil Kim, Mya, Pink, and producer Missy Elliot won a Grammy for singing "Lady Marmalade." But don't forget who did it first!" (For all the A-List youngins' that would be Ms. LaBelle and her bandmates Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash). During Lady Marmalade, LaBelle also called a few men to join her on stage to give their own rendition of the Grammy award winning tune.
For the second half of Patti's show, audience members were taken to church with an emotional performance of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow," and a captivating rendition of "The Lord's Prayer." Before singing she told the audience, "My 3 sisters who died of cancer and my father who died...aren't they smiling down on their sister right now, who is here at Wal-Mart?"
Before exiting the stage (and after her 3rd shoe change. Yes people, 3rd!) Patti didn't leave without sending out an inspirational message. "With the worlds problems, we got to stay together and pray, because we need each other. Race is no issue, we love each other."
And next up to grace the stage, was none other than the Queen of Soul, Ms. Gladys Knight!
Dressed in a long gold shimmering gown with a matching overlay, Ms. Gladys came full force, giving the audience an energizing performance of "Love Overboard."
At the top of the night, Gladys surprised the crowd with a new song titled "Dream" from her upcoming album, and also sang the popular track "If I Was Your Woman." After singing the seductive tune about taking someone else's man, Knight made sure to let people know that just because she brought the song to life, doesn't mean she lives by it; nor does she condone it!
"[Listen], Don't take nobody else's man. Find your own! Don't be messing with somebody else's, just go on and find the right one..."
Towards the end of her show, Knight paid homage to women who have inspired her throughout her career by covering "Stormy Weather," a track once sung by Etta James, and Lena Horne.
As Gladys' time on stage came to an end, the legend left mouths wide open as she sang the lyrics to Gladys Knight & The Pips "Midnight Train To Georgia."
I have to say this NAACP live viewing event was full of inspiring and empowering performances and people. From the celebrity guests, to Wal-Mart/Sam's Club leadership and peers, it was definitely a night that was worth remembering, and one I'm sure many won't forget.
Check out more blue carpet moments below.
Myself, with spin master DJ D-Nice:
P&G's "My Black Is Beautiful" spokesperson and Image Awards viewing host, Tai Beauchamp:
Laz Alonso with the Wal-Mart Bloggers:
Ms. Gladys Knight:
Ms. Patti LaBelle:
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