Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards Luncheon Archives

We see Extra TV’s New York correspondent Tanika Ray has managed to keep secret the fact that she is very pregnant for a while. The news got exposed last week during the Essence Black Women in Hollywood luncheon in West Hollywood when Essence.com published a photo of the great Oprah Winfrey snuggling on the mom-to-be’s baby bump.

Ray proved the power of clothes as you could barely notice the belly days prior in the BCBGMAXAZRIA Kristine One Shoulder Evening dress she wore to the NAACP Image awards presented by TV One at Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California on February 22, 2014.

Ray with singing legend Chaka Khan.

Ray, who is sometimes seen on HLN’s Showbiz Tonight, was glowing in a pink and blue bump hugging print maternity dress and shared loads of photos of the event on her Instagram page.

No public announcement yet on how far along she is neither who is the father of her child.

Congrats!

Ray with style maven and BravoTV host Bevy Smith with fashion blogger The Curvy Fashionista

Photos: Essence.com, Instagram, Zimbio, Getty

Mom-to-be Kerry Washington and some of our past Bellyitch Bumpwatch moms and other mothers looked absolutely radiant gracing the red carpet and ballroom of the Beverly Hilton for the Essence magazine 7th Annual Black Women in Hollywood Awards luncheon.

The event honored Lupita Nyong’o, filmmaker and first African American woman to win the Sundance Best Director award Ava DuVernay and film marketing exec Cheryl Boone Isaacs.

This is my absolute FAVORITE look of all time on Washington this award-season and pregnancy. That cobalt blue Calvin Klein off the shoulder asymmetrical sheath dress matched perfectly with her complexion. The loose ringlets fell perfectly along her face with the matte look and soft nude lips. I loved the simple black Jimmy Choo pumps. And the Emm Kuo clutch set off the look perfectly. She accented the ensemble with an EF Collection ring and House of Lavande earrings. Lovely!

Other red carpet moms bringing the bright reds, roses and oranges included:

Brandy, Tamar Mowry-Housley, Salli Richardson and Garcelle Beauvais

Looking fab in White, Black, Grey and Neutrals was …

Holly Robinson-Peete, Laila Ali, Chaka Khan and Regina King

Essence had a photo booth on site where guests did cute and fun poses…

Garcelle Beauvais, Salli Richardson, Regina King and Vanessa Bell Calloway; Niecy Nash, Tichina Arnold does over the top diva; Laila Ali frames the picture and Holly Robinson-Pete gives pretty face time.

Behind the Scenes