Jada Pinkett-Smith arrives at opening of Rhimes Performing Arts Center

Jada Pinkett-Smith glitters in gold gown and joins Shonda Rhimes and Debbie Allen to open the Rhimes Performing Arts Center… in first red carpet appearance since Oscars slap

Jada Pinkett-Smith was dazzling in a glittering gold gown at a star-studded event celebrating the opening of Bridgerton producer Shonda Rhimes‘ latest project,  The Rhimes Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles.

She joined Rhimes and Debbie Allen on her first red carpet outing since the now infamous Academy Awards ceremony late last month, when her husband Will Smith slapped Chris Rock/

The new facility includes a fly aerial studio named for Jada and Will Smith. 

Good as gold: Jada Pinkett-Smith stunned in a gold gown on Saturday to open the Rhimes Performing Arts Center. The Matrix Resurrections actress teamed up with Shonda Rhimes (L) and the multi-talented Debbie Allen (C) on the red carpet

The 50-year-old actress wore a strapless gown that featured her toned arms, and accented the elegant frock with a red lip and gold earrings. 

The Red Table Talk host posed on the red carpet along with the multitalented Grey’s Anatomy creator and Grey’s actress Debbie Allen, who is being honored with a dance academy in her name. 

The facility includes five dance studios. It’s open to students aged 8 and older and will teach classes in Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, African, Dunham, Tap, & Musical Theater.  

Still dealing with the slap: This was the Girls’ Trip star’s first red carpet event since the infamous slap at the 2022 Oscar Awards.  Will Smith has resigned from the Academy and is banned from attending any ceremonies for the next 10 years; seen March 27

Glowing: The 50-year-old actress wore a strapless gown that featured her toned arms, and accented the elegant frock with a red lip and gold earrings

Broadway bound: Samuel L. Jackson rocked a charcoal suit, while his wife LaTanya Richardson Jackson looked elegant in a peach, pink and brown floral long sleeve dress

Supporting her sister: Actress Phylicia Rashad (R) helped honor her sister Debbie Allen in a lovely spring green floral maxi dress with silver shoes and a contrasting red shawl. She teamed up with veteran actress and dancer Vanessa Bell Calloway, who was a vision in white and pink 

She’s got the beat: Music legend Sheila E left her drums at home and waltzed down the arrivals line in a sea green and grey tiered halter dress with a sheer black jacket

Shonda walked the red carpet in a green and white floral gown with long puffed sleeves and open collar, while Debbie showed off her dancer’s legs in a loose fitting off the shoulder woven cream dress with a brown slip and beaded necklace.  

The trio were joined by Samuel L. Jackson, who recently received a Lifetime Achievement Oscar, and his wife, LaTanya Richardson Jackson. 

The pair looked elegant, with LaTanya in a peach, pink and brown floral long sleeve dress, while her husband sported a dark gray suit, navy blue shirt and maroon sneakers, finishing off the look with a maroon tie and cap. 

Actress Phylicia Rashad turned up for the fun and to help honor her baby sister Debbie  in a lovely spring green floral maxi dress with silver shoes and a contrasting red shawl.

Power suit: Congresswoman Maxine Waters looked regal in all white

Striking a pose: Pose star Billy Porter looked elegant in a loose white high-low button down shirt, black pants and platform shoes, prior to his performance on the stage

In the pink: Singer and actress Raven Symone joined in the pink theme in a shiny pant suite, white button down shirt, white sneakers and a mauve tie. She was joined by her wife, Miranda Pearman-Maday, who wore a flirty pink mini dress, a pastel blue jacket and black ankle boots

She teamed up with veteran actress and dancer Vanessa Bell Calloway who showed off her dancer’s figure in a pair of white shorts and top, looking pretty in a double breasted pink blazer and high heel pink sandals. 

Singer and actress Raven Symone joined in the pink theme in a shiny pant suite, white button down shirt, white sneakers and a mauve tie. 

She was joined by her wife, Miranda Pearman-Maday, who wore a flirty pink mini dress, a pastel blue jacket and black ankle boots. 

Pose star Billy Porter looked elegant in a loose white high-low button down shirt, black pants and platform shoes, prior to his performance on the stage. 

The Tony winner kicked off the inaugural performance in the 200 seat theater along with mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves and New York City Ballet principal dancer Tiler Peck. 

The man in black: Music legend Herbie Hancock tuned in, wearing comfortable by stylish all black ensemble

Chi cool: The Chi’s Lena Waithe embraced casual elegance with a sapphire blue satin shirt and black and white pajama inspired pants with black velvet slippers

Actress and director Rebecca Gayheart, who is married to former Grey’s Anatomy actor Eric Dane, was stunning in a black dress with a plunging V neck, and short sleeves. Her trademark curls hug loosely around her shoulders. 

Music legend Sheila E left her drums at home and waltzed down the arrivals line in a sea green and grey tiered halter dress with a sheer black jacket. Her hair was pulled back sleekly in a top knot. 

She wore large hoop earrings and completed the ensemble with high heel sandals with lavender bows. 

Congresswoman Maxine Waters looked regal in all white. 

The 83-year-old lawmaker chose a white pantsuit for the celebration, accenting it with a white beaded necklace, sunglasses and white clutch, while music legend Herbie Hancock tuned in, wearing an all black ensemble. 

Saturday night fun: Actress and director Rebecca Gayheart, who is married to former Grey’s Anatomy actor Eric Dane, was stunning in a black dress with a plunging V neck

Still connected to dance: Former Dance Moms star Abby Lee Miller was stylish in a gold, black and gray paisley top with black pants and black strappy sandals. The former reality show star is recovering from cancer and draped her fringed evening bag for ease of movement

The Chi’s Lena Waithe embraced casual elegance with a sapphire blue satin shirt and black and white pajama inspired pants with black velvet slippers. 

Former Dance Moms star Abby Lee Miller was stylish in a gold, black and gray paisley top with black pants and black strappy sandals. 

The former reality show star is recovering from cancer and draped her fringed evening bag for ease of movement.

The new Rhimes Performing Arts Center is a two story 24,000 square foot complex and combined with the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, is poised to become the leading African American cultural center west of the Mississippi. 

Always time for a selfie: The group had fun not only posing for professional photographers, but Samuel L. Jackson whipped out his mobile phone to capture the moment in a group selfie

Looking to the future: The  Rhimes Performing Arts Center is a two story 24,000 square foot complex and combined with the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, is poised to become the leading African American cultural center west of the Mississippi

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