
Hollywood’s finest took their talents across the pond this week, lighting up the 82nd Venice International Film Festival with pure star power. Dwayne Johnson rolled up to the Palazzo del Cinema on September 1, 2025, for the screening of 'The Smashing Machine,' looking every bit the blockbuster king we know and love. Meanwhile, Ayo Edebiri made waves at the Hotel Excelsior on August 29, repping that LA-to-global vibe with effortless style.
It wasn’t just about the flicks - Venice turned into a full-on fashion runway with these icons bringing Black excellence to the forefront. Jesse Williams also popped up at the Golden Globes x Aman Beverly Hills party during the fest on August 29, proving that Cali cool translates anywhere. Whether it’s the canals of Venice or the streets of Hollywood, our stars are owning every scene.
These moments remind us why the Venice Film Festival is a must-watch - it’s where art meets swagger, and this year’s lineup didn’t disappoint. With every red carpet strut, they’re showing the world what SoCal-bred talent looks like on the global stage.
Back on home turf, Los Angeles was straight fire with the 2025 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at the Fairmont Century Plaza on August 28. GloRilla had heads turning with her bold energy, while Ty Dolla $ign and Leon Thomas brought that West Coast smoothness to the night. Lucky Daye, Jazlyn Martin, and BigXthaPlug also showed up, making sure the LA music scene stayed lit with pure talent.
This event is basically the Grammys of R&B and hip-hop, and the SoCal summer energy was on full blast. It’s where the industry’s heavy hitters come to celebrate the sounds that define our culture, from Crenshaw to Compton and beyond. Seeing these artists shine in the heart of LA just hits different.
“Being here in LA for the BMI Awards feels like a family reunion - we’re all just celebrating the music that moves us,” GloRilla shared, capturing the vibe of the night.
Down in the Dirty South, Georgia was the spot for some major celeb moments. On August 30, 2025, Usher, Yolanda Adams, and Chris Tucker took the stage at the VyStar Amphitheater in Stockbridge for the Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis 40th Anniversary Tribute concert. These legends paid homage to two of music’s greatest, with performances and speeches that had the crowd hyped.
Atlanta kept the energy rolling with Ciara dropping by the Greg Street Show at Audacy Atlanta on August 25, while Offset chopped it up on 96.1 The Beat on August 28. Da Brat and Jesseca Dupart also made an appearance at the 6th Annual Mayor’s Black Pride Reception at Atlanta City Hall, alongside a performance by Durand Bernarr, proving ATL’s got soul in spades.
From tribute concerts to radio waves, Georgia’s star power was undeniable. It’s like the city turned into a non-stop celebration of Black culture, with every event dripping with that Southern hospitality mixed with Hollywood flair.
LA wasn’t just about music - sports got some love too with Mookie Betts’ “Smash For Good” Celebrity Pickleball Challenge at Griffin Club on August 28. Terrell Owens was out there swinging for a cause with The 50/50 Foundation, showing off that athletic drip we know from his NFL days. Mookie himself was front and center, blending that Dodger blue spirit with pure charity vibes.
Meanwhile, on the East Coast, New York’s Soho House was the place to be on August 27 as Regina King got her flowers at “A Toast to Hollywood Royalty.” Tiffany Haddish, Vivica A. Fox, and Sidra Smith were there to celebrate the queen, making it a night of laughs, love, and straight-up admiration for one of Hollywood’s finest.
Whether it’s pickleball in LA or rooftop toasts in NYC, these stars are keeping the culture alive across coasts. It’s all about versatility - from the court to the red carpet, they’re showing there’s no limit to where Black excellence can shine.
Taking it international again, Tiwa Savage celebrated the launch of her new album “This One Is Personal” at The Standard in London on August 29, 2025. The Nigerian superstar had the crowd buzzing, with Winston Duke in the house to support. It was a night of Afrobeats and global love, showing how far the diaspora’s influence reaches.
This kind of event reminds us that Black artistry knows no borders - from Venice to London, the vibes are universal. Tiwa’s drop is just another win for the culture, blending that African heat with a touch of Hollywood’s global reach.
So, whether it’s a film premiere in Italy, a music awards night in LA, or an album drop across the Atlantic, this week proved our stars are unstoppable. Keep scrolling for all the pics and let us know which moment had you hyped the most!