The Governors Awards & Debbie Allen’s Honorary Oscar Occasion

Hollywood stepped out in full glam this weekend, and Auntie Debbie Allen had all the business displaying up and displaying out. The 2025 Governors Awards already had the timeline buzzing, however when Debbie determined to host her personal celebration the night time earlier than receiving her Honorary Oscar, the visitor record appeared like a who’s who of Black excellence, together with a couple of surprising legends who introduced their very own taste to the perform. 

Initially, Debbie Allen is a nationwide treasure. Interval.

So when she pops out, you realize Jada Pinkett Smith, Jennifer Lewis, Jasmine Man, and half the leisure business is someplace within the room displaying love. However what no one anticipated was the second that just about broke the Web. Debbie Allen and Tom Cruise acquired their total life on the dance ground.

In response to PEOPLE, the pair hit the Debbie Allen Dance Academy occasion on Nov. 15 and went full Soul Practice line, dancing to Cameo’s “Sweet” and Maze’s “Earlier than I Let Go,” cheesing like cousins reunited on the cookout

Even D-Good needed to let the world know Tom Cruise “is invited to the barbecue.” And truthfully, after seeing the footage, he may need already proven up with a plate.

The Governors Awards themselves had been equally star-studded, even with heavy rains making an attempt to scrub away the glam. Selection reported that regardless of the storm, Ariana Grande, Elle Fanning, Jeremy Robust, and the remainder of Hollywood’s A-list slid via the pink carpet dripping in couture.

Alongside Allen and Cruise, manufacturing designer Wynn Thomas obtained an Honorary Oscar, whereas Dolly Parton was acknowledged with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. The ceremony, held on the Ray Dolby Ballroom, was precisely the award-season spectacle followers anticipate. It was stuffed with trend, historical past, and Hollywood royalty.

However let’s be trustworthy: the pre-party is what had the web in a chokehold. Debbie Allen is hitting the electrical slide with Tom Cruise. Jada was glowing like she walked off a film set. Jennifer Lewis is giving that signature auntie power. Iconic doesn’t even start to cowl it.

Now let’s get into the gallery as a result of the appears, the legends, and the love within the room deserve their very own highlight.

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