Red carpet recap: Black-and-white elegance dominated the 29th annual Critics Choice Awards 

From Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s blonde debut to Ayo Edebiri's nostalgic pantsuit, Black stars shined at the Critics Choice Awards.

Haniyah Philogene
Jan 15, 2024

After a year of historic industry strikes, modern adaptations of beloved stories, and blockbuster debuts, the time has come for movie and television stars to receive their flowers –– or more specifically, awards for their hard work. Continuing a rare, back-to-back scheduling of award shows, stars gathered in Los Angeles for the 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards. Designed to “honor the finest in cinematic and television achievement,” the list of nominees included standout Black actors in vehicles like “The Color Purple,” “American Fiction,” “Abbott Elementary,” “The Morning Show,” “The Bear,” and more. 

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Da’Vine Joy Randolph, winner of the Best Supporting Actress award for “The Holdovers,” poses in the press room during the 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on January 14, 2024 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

While most won’t walk away with awards from the notoriously tough crowd that is the industry’s critics, stars stepped onto the red carpet in their awards season finery, angling for a chance to win another coveted title: Best Dressed. This year, stars continued a theme seen at last week’s Golden Globes and Governors Awards, as black and white were once again the most popular colors on the carpet. 

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(L-R) Ayo Edebiri, Tracee Ellis Ross, Fantasia Barrino and Taraji P. Henson at the 29th Annual Critic’s Choice Awards (Photos: Getty Images)

Taraji P. Henson and Fantasia Barrino continued to echo sisterhood on the red carpet as both arrived draped in strapless white gowns designed by Boss and Alin Le’ Kal, respectively. Similarly, Ayo Edebiri walked away with the award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series wearing an all-white pantsuit by The Row and Oliver Peoples shades that evoked Whoopi Goldberg’s signature style.

Meanwhile, Tracee Ellis Ross seemed to draw inspiration from her mother’s recent Saint Laurent campaign as she stepped onto the carpet in a simple black Fendi Haute Couture gown crowned by her trademark curls. And Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s Best Supporting Actress win may not have been a surprise, but the celebrated actress’ blonde blowout garnered some buzz as she paired the new ‘do with a custom all-black Jovana Louis gown (as seen above).

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However, the carpet wasn’t entirely black and white; thanks to stars like Colman Domingo (resplendent in gold), Karen Pittman and Aja Naomi King (pretty in pink), and Jasmine Cephas-Jones (lovely in lime green), the red carpet saw a welcome sprinkle of color on Sunday night. Explore all the looks from the 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards in our gallery below, and join theGrio as we cover the 2024 Emmy Awards on Monday night.

Colman Domingo

Colman Domingo attends the 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on January 14, 2024 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association)

Haniyah Philogene is a multimedia storyteller and Lifestyle reporter covering all things culture. With a passion for digital media, she goes above and beyond to find new ways to tell and share stories.

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