Hollywood Beauty Awards: A Night of Artistry, Through My Lens: By Jacqueline Murphy, for Entertainment Today and Entertainment and Sports Today:
The 11th Annual Hollywood Beauty Awards were held on Friday, April 10, 2026, at the Taglyan Complex in Hollywood, California. The event, which celebrated “The Beauty of Spring ~ La Beauté du Printemps,” featured, among other highlights, YSL Beauty as the 2026 Brand of the Year.
The stars came out to celebrate and support the honorees and nominees. From Jeremy Allen White for groomer winner, KC Fee, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs (of “Welcome Back Cotter fame”) who presented to friend and Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling honoree, Robert Louis Stevenson. Along with Tim Allen for longtime friend and Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling honoree Bonnie Clevering, Mickey Guyton and Roger Medina for RLS Hairstyling winner, Edith Donaldson, Shohreh Aghdashloo and Maryam Lieberman, Beauty Editor of W Magazine, who presented Fragrance of The Year to Valentina Colombo, Managing Director of the Perfume Business Unit for BVLGARI Le Gemme TYGAR EXTRAIT. Along with comedian Sebastian Maniscalco for friend and Outstanding Achievement in Photography honoree Peggy Sirota. The Bachelor’s Grant Ellis and Acacia McBride who presented Brand of The Year to YSL Beauty and more.
The Hollywood Beauty Awards brought together an inspiring collective of artists, visionaries, and storytellers, celebrating the creative forces shaping beauty across film, television, and culture. Covering the evening for Entertainment Today, and Entertainment and Sports Today, and Entertainment with Jacqueline Murphy, I approached the red carpet as more than an event—it was an opportunity to connect with the voices behind the artistry and share the stories that define their work.
Throughout the night, I had the privilege of speaking with an extraordinary range of talent. You may remember Terrence Howard, Academy Award nominee for Hustle & Flow, where the film’s song “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp” won the Oscar. He also captivated audiences on Empire as Lucious Lyon, earning a BET Award for Best Lead Actor. Speaking with him, I was struck by his grounded perspective—focused not just on career, but on purpose and making a meaningful impact.
Terrence Dashon Howard is an American actor and singer who has appeared in film and television since around 1992. A casting director discovered him on a New York City street, leading to TV roles on Living Single, NYPD Blue, and Soul Food. He became well known for his starring role in the UPN series Sparks. Howard’s film credits include Iron Man, Hustle & Flow, Crash, Ray, and The Best Man. In the below photo are – Left to Right: Entertainment Today TV Reporter: Jacqueline Murphy, interviewing Award Winning Actor: Terrence Howard, at The Hollywood Beauty Awards:Also, one time at the Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, during the show, when we were invited guests with 2 tickets: Entertainment Today TV Producer: Steve Taylor, and his Entertainment Reporter: Christine Owens met Terrence Howard, and Christine said to Terrence: ” You have beautiful Eyes” and then Terrence- (assuming that Christine was Steve’s wife), whispered to Steve: “and your wife has beautiful legs!” It is always a pleasure to meet him, he is always a very nice man! In the photo below are- Left to Right: Entertainment today TV Producer: Steve Taylor with Award Winning Actor: Terrence Howard, at the Golden Globe Awards: 
Next was the remarkable Shohreh Aghdashloo, Academy Award nominee for House of Sand and Fog opposite Ben Kingsley, and Primetime Emmy winner for Outstanding Supporting Actress. More recently seen in The Expanse, she brought both grace and depth to our conversation, reflecting a career defined by powerful, layered performances: In the below photo are – Left to Right: Actress Shohreh Aghdashloo, being interviewed by Entertainment Today TV Reporter: Jacqueline Murphy: 
It was also a pleasure meeting celebrity hairstylist Roger Medina alongside Mickey Guyton, the Grammy-nominated country artist whose voice continues to resonate across audiences. Moments like these highlighted the collaborative spirit of the evening: 
A true highlight was speaking with Colleen Atwood, who received the award for Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design. Colleen has shaped the visual language of film and television for more than four decades. A four-time Academy Award® winner, three-time BAFTA recipient, and two-time Emmy winner, she has received a dozen Oscar® nominations and collaborated with visionary directors including Tim Burton, Jonathan Demme, and Rob Marshall. Her work on films such as Alice in Wonderland, Chicago, Fantastic Beasts, Memoirs of a Geisha, as well as more recent projects like Wednesday and One Battle After Another, continues to define cinematic storytelling through costume. In the below photo are – Left to Right: four-time Academy Award® winner: Colleen Atwood, being interviewed by Entertainment Today TV Reporter: Jacqueline Murphy: 
After moving to New York in the early 1980s, she entered the film industry unexpectedly as a production assistant on Ragtime, where designing accessories gradually led her into costuming. A major turning point came with Joe Versus the Volcano, where she met production designer Bo Welch, who introduced her to Tim Burton. Their first collaboration, Edward Scissorhands, launched a creative partnership that now spans 13 films, including Alice in Wonderland, Dumbo, and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. The costume designer for Netflix’s global hit Wednesday, she continues to define visually unforgettable characters across film and television. Most recently, Colleen designed the costumes for Kiss of the Spider Woman, as well as One Battle After Another, which earned a Costume Designers Guild Award nomination this year.The evening also celebrated leaders within the beauty and fashion space, including past HBA honorees and industry innovators like Clayton Hawkins, the 2026 HBA Ambassador: 
and Chaz Dean, a celebrity hairstylist known for his influence across platforms: 
I also spoke with Sharif Poston, an RLS Hairstyling nominee who shared that he has worked with Sheryl Lee Ralph and many Hollywood icons throughout his career. Seeing him attend with his mother added a heartfelt dimension to the evening. Suzette Boozer, also an RLS nominee, represented the next wave of talent shaping the industry.
In the world of photography, I had the opportunity to speak with Peggy Sirota, who was honored for Outstanding Achievement in Photography. A pioneer of lifestyle photography, Peggy is known for her evocative, emotional imagery that captures unexpected and deeply human moments. Her work has appeared in leading publications including Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, Vogue, GQ, and Interview, among many others. She has also directed major campaigns for brands such as Apple, Nike, L’Oréal, Netflix, and Disney. Her creative project GUESS WHO?, an interactive book of celebrity-in-disguise portraits supporting AIDS Project LA, reflects both her artistic vision and philanthropic commitment. Peggy Sirota is a renowned American photographer and director recognized as a pioneer in lifestyle photography, known for her intimate, “slice-of-life” portraits of celebrities and subjects. Born in Massachusetts in 1956, she has shot for major publications and directed music videos, including Sheryl Crow’s “Everyday Is a Winding Road” 
In the above photo you can see: Peggy Sirota who was presented with the Outstanding Achievement in Photography award, a lifetime honor celebrating her visionary eye, iconic body of work, and enduring influence on the world of photography. The award was presented by comedian Sebastian Maniscalco (Left), who took the stage to honor her extraordinary legacy.
The night also brought meaningful conversations with multifaceted talent like JD Slajchert, an American novelist, screenwriter, and motivational speaker: 
whose work is rooted in purpose and personal story. His debut novel Moon Flower was inspired by a young boy he met who passed away from Sickle Cell Disease, a moment that continues to shape his mission-driven storytelling.
I also connected with Grant Ellis, who has quickly risen to prominence through The Bachelor, and Jessi Draper, known for her work as a presenter and her presence on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: 
In addition, Nabil Hayari of Hayari Paris, a 2023 HBA Honoree, brought a global couture perspective to the evening, reflecting the international reach of beauty and design.
As both a host and filmmaker, I am always drawn to the emotional through-line of any experience. This night was not simply about documenting appearances, but about capturing the energy, intention, and artistry behind each interaction. Through my work with Entertainment and Sports Today and Entertainment with Jacqueline Murphy, my goal is to create more than coverage—I strive to create connection.
The Hollywood Beauty Awards served as a powerful reminder that behind every image of beauty lies vision, collaboration, and purpose—and it is those elements that continue to inspire the stories I bring to life.
By Jacqueline Murphy, for Entertainment Today, and Entertainment and Sports Today.
