Oprah Winfrey, Taraji  P. Henson, Danielle Brooks and Fantasia Barrino at 2023 Essence Festival

The 2023 Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans is a who’s who of powerful black women in entertainment.

Oprah Winfrey, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks and Fantasia Barrino held a panel to discuss The Color Purple’s legacy.

Sheryl Lee Ralph, Coco Jones, Sunny Hostin, Sherri Shepherd, Kelly Rowland, Ari Lennox and Flo Milli also participated in the festival, which will take place June 30 through July 2 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

Billed as the “epicenter for black joy, celebration and self-love,” some of the most notable actresses, singers and musicians perform at the event.

What Oprah, Taraji, Danielle and Fantasia have in common, however, are the two film adaptations of Alice Walker’s 1982 novel The Color Purple.

Oprah, 69, looked sensational in a soft gray blouse and metallic silver pants. She wore her natural hair in well-kept curls and round glasses perched on her face.

Taraji, 52, flaunted her curves in a sleeveless, red, pink and white dress with an asymmetrical hemline. She slipped her feet into a pair of pretty pink sandals and had her hair braided and styled in a crown-like style.

Danielle, 33, stayed on theme for the 2023 version of The Color Purple in which she plays Sofia (the role Oprah played in the 1985 film), wearing a jumpsuit with purple pants and a patterned bodice in purple, pink, mint green and teal.

Fantasia, 39, looked stunning in a body-con chrome sleeveless dress that fell just below her knees. Her hair was done up in a nice updo, which completed her very polished look.

Abbott Elementary’s Sheryl Lee Ralph, 66, looked like a breath of fresh air in a white jumpsuit, which she paired with a coral and teal shawl and matching teal shoes.

Singer Coco Jones, 25, was stunning in a long, blue, sleeveless dress with a plunging scoop neckline. Her long, brown hair was parted in the middle and fell in loose waves over her torso.

The View’s Sunny Hostin, 54, had the honor of introducing Vice President Kamala Harris, 58, to the festival and she did it in classic style in a high-neck, long-sleeved, knee-length navy dress that she paired with silver sandals and layered necklaces.

Sunny wore her hair half up/half up and wavy as she welcomed the first female Vice President of the United States to the podium.

Curves ahead: Taraji, 52, flaunted her curves in a sleeveless, red, pink and white dress with an asymmetrical hemline. She slipped her feet into a pair of pretty pink sandals and had her hair braided and styled in a crown-like style

Stunning: Abbott Elementary’s Sheryl Lee Ralph, 66, looked like a breath of fresh air in a white jumpsuit, which she paired with a coral and teal shawl and matching teal shoes

Chrome: Fantasia, 39, looked stunning in a body-con chrome sleeveless dress that fell just below her knees. Her hair was done up in a nice updo, which completed her very polished look

Color purple: Danielle, 33, stayed in theme for the 2023 version of The Color Purple in which she plays Sofia (the role Oprah played in the 1985 film), wearing a jumpsuit with purple pants and a patterned bodice in purple , pink, mint green and teal

Bombshell: Singer Coco Jones, 25, was stunning in a long, blue, sleeveless dress with a plunging neckline. Her long, brown hair was parted in the middle and fell in loose waves over her torso

Classic: The View’s Sunny Hostin, 54, had the honor of introducing Vice President Kamala Harris, 58, to the festival and she did it in classic style in a high-neck, long-sleeved, knee-length navy dress that she paired with silver sandals and layered necklaces.

Performance: Flo Milli performs at what is billed as the “epicenter for black joy, celebration and self-love,” where some of the most notable actors, actresses, singers and musicians perform at the event

The Color Purple: Danielle, Fantasia and Taraji all appeared in the 2023 remake of the movie The Color Purple

Pretty in pink: Sherri Shepherd, 56, looked exuberant as she roamed the festival grounds in a sleeveless hot pink dress she paired with a yellow shoulder bag.

Destiny’s Child: Destiny’s Child alum Kelly Rowland, 42, looked stunning in a leopard print, halter, jumpsuit and matching above-the-elbow gloves. Her hair was styled straight and combed back and hung down her back to accentuate her radiant, sun-kissed makeup

Lady in red: Singer Ari Lennox, 32, also performed at the event in a mesh bodysuit with red fringe and long sleeves. Her raven-black hair was pulled back from her face in a bun that let her long locks fall over her shoulders and back

Sherri Shepherd, 56, looked lavish as she roamed the festival grounds in a sleeveless hot pink dress she paired with a gold shoulder bag.

Rapper Flo Milli, 23, performed at the festival on Friday in a bodysuit with a black bodice and a metallic gray bottom. Her exceptionally long, raven black hair was styled straight as she performed her hits to the crowd.

Destiny’s Child alum Kelly Rowland, 42, looked stunning in a leopard print, halter, jumpsuit and matching above-the-elbow gloves. Her hair was styled straight and combed back and hung down her back to accentuate her radiant, sun-kissed makeup.

Singer Ari Lennox, 32, also performed at the event in a red-fringed, long-sleeved mesh bodysuit. Her raven-black hair was pulled back from her face in a bun that let her long locks fall over her shoulders and back.