Hollywood stepped out in full glam this weekend, and Auntie Debbie Allen had the entire industry showing up and showing out. The 2025 Governors Awards already had the timeline buzzing, but when Debbie decided to host her own celebration the night before receiving her Honorary Oscar, the guest list looked like a who’s who of Black excellence, along with a few unexpected legends who brought their own flavor to the function.
First of all, Debbie Allen is a national treasure. Period.
So when she pops out, you know Jada Pinkett Smith, Jennifer Lewis, Jasmine Guy, and half the entertainment industry is somewhere in the room showing love. But what nobody expected was the moment that nearly broke the Internet. Debbie Allen and Tom Cruise got their entire life on the dance floor.
According to PEOPLE, the pair hit the Debbie Allen Dance Academy party on Nov. 15 and went full Soul Train line, dancing to Cameo’s “Candy” and Maze’s “Before I Let Go,” cheesing like cousins reunited at the cookout
Even D-Nice had to let the world know Tom Cruise “is invited to the barbecue.” And honestly, after seeing the footage, he might have already shown up with a plate.
The Governors Awards themselves were equally star-studded, even with heavy rains trying to wash away the glam. Variety reported that despite the storm, Ariana Grande, Elle Fanning, Jeremy Strong, and the rest of Hollywood’s A-list slid through the red carpet dripping in couture.
Alongside Allen and Cruise, production designer Wynn Thomas received an Honorary Oscar, while Dolly Parton was recognized with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. The ceremony, held at the Ray Dolby Ballroom, was exactly the award-season spectacle fans expect. It was full of fashion, history, and Hollywood royalty.
But let’s be honest: the pre-party is what had the internet in a chokehold. Debbie Allen is hitting the electric slide with Tom Cruise. Jada was glowing like she walked off a movie set. Jennifer Lewis is giving that signature auntie energy. Iconic doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Now let’s get into the gallery because the looks, the legends, and the love in the room deserve their own spotlight.
1. Debbie Allen
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Debbie Allen arrives at the 16th Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on November 16, 2025, in Hollywood, California.
2. Sista, Sista
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Phylicia Rashad and Debbie Allen arrive at the 16th Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on November 16, 2025, in Hollywood, California.
3. Michael B. Jordan
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Michael B. Jordan attends the 2025 Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on November 16, 2025, in Hollywood, California.
4. Octavia Spencer
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Octavia Spencer arrives at the 16th Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on November 16, 2025, in Hollywood, California.
5. Dwayne Johnson
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Dwayne Johnson arrives at the 16th Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on November 16, 2025, in Hollywood, California.
6. Cynthia Erivo
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Cynthia Erivo attends the 2025 Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on November 16, 2025, in Hollywood, California.
7. Sydney Sweeney
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Sydney Sweeney attends the 2025 Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on November 16, 2025, in Hollywood, California.
8. Regina Hall
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Regina Hall attends the 16th Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on November 16, 2025, in Hollywood, California.
9. The Fam’s All Here
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Phylicia Rashad, Debbie Allen, Norm Nixon and guests at The 16th Governors Awards held at The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood on November 16, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.
10. Queen Latifah
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Queen Latifah arrives at the 16th Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on November 16, 2025, in Hollywood, California.
11. Andra Day
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Andra Day arrives at the 16th Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on November 16, 2025, in Hollywood, California.
12. The Cooglers
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Zinzi Coogler and Ryan Coogler at The 16th Governors Awards held at The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood on November 16, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.
13. Teyana Taylor
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Teyana Taylor attends the 16th Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on November 16, 2025, in Hollywood, California.
14. Jay Shetty
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Jay Shetty attends the 16th Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on November 16, 2025, in Hollywood, California.
15. Tessa Thompson
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Tessa Thompson arrives at the 16th Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on November 16, 2025, in Hollywood, California.
16. Jurnee Smollett
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Jurnee Smollett at The 16th Governors Awards held at The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood on November 16, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.
17. Tom Cruise
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Tom Cruise at The 16th Governors Awards held at The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood on November 16, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.
18. Ariana Grande
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Ariana Grande at The 16th Governors Awards held at The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood on November 16, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.
19. Jennifer Lopez
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Jennifer Lopez at The 16th Governors Awards held at The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood on November 16, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.
20. Anya Taylor-Joy
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Anya Taylor-Joy at The 16th Governors Awards held at The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood on November 16, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.
21. Lucy Liu
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Lucy Liu arrives at the 16th Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on November 16, 2025, in Hollywood, California.
22. Natalie Portman
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Natalie Portman at The 16th Governors Awards held at The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood on November 16, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.
23. Adam Sandler
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Adam Sandler arrives at the 16th Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on November 16, 2025, in Hollywood, California.
24. Kim Taylor-Coleman
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Kim Taylor-Coleman attends the 16th Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom on November 16, 2025, in Hollywood, California.
25. Honorees
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Tom Cruise, Debbie Allen and Wynn Thomas at The 16th Governors Awards held at The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood on November 16, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.
26. Debbie Allen’s Honorary Oscar Party
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Jasmine Guy attends Debbie Allen’s Honorary Oscar party at Debbie Allen Dance Academy on November 15, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.
27. Brought The Stars Out
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Jada Pinkett Smith attends Debbie Allen’s Honorary Oscar party at Debbie Allen Dance Academy on November 15, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.
28. A Star Studded Night
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Jenifer Lewis attends Debbie Allen’s Honorary Oscar party at Debbie Allen Dance Academy on November 15, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.
29. A Time Was Had
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The stars and honorees danced the night away.
