Amid the queens celebrated as honorees, and those cheering them on from the audience, we’re always filled with joy to see so much Black brilliance in the room during ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood. Another thing that warms our hearts? Witnessing Black love, too.
To be honest, at a celebration like this, we’re used to seeing the sisterhood kind of love: mothers and daughters, sisters, and good girlfriends. But every now and then, a few couples pop out for our beloved fête. This time, we spotted more pairs than ever before.
From Ryan Coogler and Zinzi Coogler, to Kerry Washington and Nnamdi Asomugha, and newlyweds DeVon Franklin and Maria Castillo—and let’s not forget Niecy Nash-Betts and her wife Jessica Betts—love was certainly in the air, in more ways than one.
As we roll out all the beauty from the 19th annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood event, take a look at the couples who turned the occasion into date night—or make that day.
The 2026 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood event is available to stream on ESSENCE’s YouTube starting Saturday, March 14: Watch Here
01
Delroy Lindo and Nashormeh N. R. Lindo
02
DeVon Franklin and Maria Castillo
03
Pinky Cole Hayes and Derrick Hayes
04
Wunmi Mosaku and Tash Moseley
05
Ryan and Zinzi Coogler
06
Kevin and Melissa Fredericks
07
Niecy Nash and Jessica Betts
08
Kerry Washington and Nnamdi Asomugha
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