The best and most daring looks celebrities wore to the 2023 NAACP Image Awards

  • The NAACP Image Awards' week-long celebration came to a close on Saturday with the live awards show.

  • Stars hit the yellow carpet with bold accessories and unique, asymmetrical silhouettes.

  • Some celebs, like Gabrielle Union, opted for vivid patterns while others chose sleek color palettes.

Marsai Martin

Marsai Martin attends the 54th NAACP Image Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 25, 2023 in Pasadena, California.
Marsai Martin at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards.Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

The "Black-ish" actress donned a glamorous black gown by Christian Siriano with blue puffs around her shoulders and waist. Martin's minimal silver jewelry allowed the asymmetrical blue details to pop.

Gabrielle Union

Gabrielle Union arrives to the 54th Annual NAACP Image Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 25, 2023 in Pasadena, California.
Gabrielle Union at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards.Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images

Union's Versace strapless, ankle-length gown was paired with black heels and a diamond necklace. Union and her husband Dwyane Wade took home the President's Award Saturday for their activism.

The couple honored their trans daughter Zaya Wade and the Black LGBTQ community during their acceptance speech, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

"Even as we demand equality at the top of our lungs, we consistently fail to extend our advocacy to protect some of our most vulnerable among us," Union said. "Black trans people are being targeted, terrorized and hunted in this country, every day, everywhere. And there's rarely a whisper about it."

Zendaya

Zendaya at the 54th NAACP Image Awards held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 25, 2023 in Pasadena, California.
Zendaya at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards.Gilbert Flores/Getty Images

The "Euphoria" actress attended the awards ceremony in a black and green strapless Versace gown with black heels.

Zendaya later changed into a white Prada two-piece set to present the award for outstanding motion picture.

Tabitha Brown

Tabitha Brown arrives to the 54th Annual NAACP Image Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 25, 2023 in Pasadena, California.
Tabitha Brown at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards.Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images

The actress and food influencer's deep green gown with floral, embellished arm poofs was designed by Atlanta-based fashion brand Ade by Femi. Brown finished her look with shimmering avocado earrings.

Ruth Carter

Ruth Carter arrives to the 54th Annual NAACP Image Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 25, 2023 in Pasadena, California.
Ruth Carter at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards.Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images

Carter, who was honored with the Vanguard Award for Costume Design on Friday by the NAACP, chose an asymmetrical look for Saturday's ceremony. The look was completed with bold, dangling earrings and gloves.

Sheryl Lee Ralph

Sheryl Lee Ralph arrives to the 54th Annual NAACP Image Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 25, 2023 in Pasadena, California.
Sheryl Lee Ralph at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards.Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images

Ralph's beaded, mermaid silhouette was designed by Ghanaian fashion house Pistis. The orange and brown ensemble was paired with dangling, circular earrings and a simple makeup look.

Ralph hit the yellow carpet on Saturday with her daughter Ivy Coco Maurice. The "Abbot Elementary" actress shouted out Maurice while presenting the award for outstanding actor in a drama series.

"My daughter is still single for those rich, young, Black men out there," she said, according to HuffPost.

Quinta Brunson

Quinta Brunson attends the 54th NAACP Image Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 25, 2023 in Pasadena, California.
Quinta Brunson at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards.Unique Nicole/Getty Images

The "Abbott Elementary" creator's ombre gown with a high leg slit was designed by Peter Dundas. She paired the dress with silver strappy heels, dangling gold earrings, and matching eyeshadow.

Danielle Pinnock

Danielle Pinnock attends the 54th NAACP Image Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 25, 2023 in Pasadena, California.
Danielle Pinnock at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards.Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

The "Ghosts" star rocked a shimmering sleeveless black gown with feather detailing along the neckline on Saturday. Pinnock paired her Rene' Tyler dress with sheer black gloves and diamond details in her updo.

Nicco Annan

Nicco Annan attends the 54th NAACP Image Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 25, 2023 in Pasadena, California.
Nicco Annan at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards.Kayla Oaddams/Getty Images

The "P-Valley" actor and dancer chose a double-breasted suit in a rich shade of cobalt blue. He paired the look with diamond jewelry and, in an unexpected twist, a pair of snakeskin print boots.

Shannon Thornton

Shannon Thornton arrives to the 54th Annual NAACP Image Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 25, 2023 in Pasadena, California.
Shannon Thornton at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards.Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images

Thornton dazzled in an ombré purple gown with a long, caped sleeve over one arm. The diamond-shaped cutouts along the actor's abdomen gave way to a thigh-high slit and plunging neckline.

She added extra dimension with voluminous curls and silver accessories.

Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett arrives to the 54th Annual NAACP Image Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 25, 2023 in Pasadena, California.
Angela Bassett at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards.Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images

The acclaimed actor stood out in a white jumpsuit with sculptural sleeves made of satin-like fabric.

Bassett took home three awards on Saturday for outstanding actress in a drama series, best supporting actress, and entertainer of the year, Deadline reports. In her final acceptance speech, she made a reference to Ariana DeBose's viral BAFTAs performance, saying, "I guess Angela Bassett did the thing!"

She also told Variety that she reached out to DeBose after the performance was criticized.

"I DM'd her last night. I did. It was beautiful," she said. "I just wanted to make sure she was okay because, you know, it's a lot of attention. And she is a-okay."

Bria Henderson

Bria Henderson at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards in a sparkling blue gown and pointed-toe heels.
Bria Henderson at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards.Kayla Oaddams/WireImage

The "Good Doctor" actor wore a dazzling blue gown with a criss-cross halter neck. She paired her sparkling ensemble with tasseled hoop earrings, a sculptural gold cuff, and lots of gold rings.

Issa Rae

Issa Rae attends the 54th NAACP Image Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 25, 2023 in Pasadena, California.
Issa Rae at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards.Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

The "Insecure" star rocked a pale purple gown with a large flower on one shoulder. The dress continued into a peplum waist and high slit, which revealed bedazzled, wrap-around sandals.

KJ Smith

KJ Smith attends the 54th NAACP Image Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 25, 2023 in Pasadena, California.
KJ Smith at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards.Unique Nicole/Getty Images

Smith's daring look consisted of a strapless dress in shades of pink, lavender, and mint green. The gown also had a black bust and a row of gold buttons cascading down the front.

The actor also went bold with her accessories: mismatched gloves, sculptural earrings, and a chunky gold ring.

Brandee Evans

Brandee Evans attends the 54th NAACP Image Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 25, 2023 in Pasadena, California.
Brandee Evans at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards.Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images

Evans' strapless dress was made of ivory-colored lace in a high-low silhouette. She topped the look off with a crown of hair, which wrapped around her forehead in an intricate pattern.

Amin Joseph

Amin Joseph attends the 54th NAACP Image Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 25, 2023 in Pasadena, California.
Amin Joseph at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards.Kayla Oaddams/Getty Images

The "Snowfall" actor made a statement in a black suit covered in silver jewels. The double-breasted jacket was tailored neatly, contrasting the look's bold design.

Joseph also brought the sparkle with glittery shoes.

Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe attends the 54th NAACP Image Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 25, 2023 in Pasadena, California.
Janelle Monáe at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards.Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

The actor and singer matched their lipstick and heels to their red dress, which was highlighted by a large cutout down the side. Monáe appeared statuesque as they showed off their legs in the gown's hip-high slit.

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