It was the season for celebrating Black excellence at the 2016 Trumpet Awards, but along with the star-studded event came a-not-so glamorous winter storm causing dozens of notable faces not to be in attendance for the anticipated show.
The chaos began outside where hundreds of media outlets stood in 30-degree weather for nearly two hours waiting on the arrival of guests and honorees only to discover many of them wouldn’t be gracing the red carpet. Some celebrities were even rushed inside due to the harsh blizzard-like conditions and declined to pose for photos or do interviews for the evening.
The 24th annual Trumpet Awards were scheduled to start recording promptly at 5 p.m., but there was yet another unexpected delay — the room not being filled to capacity. For approximately 45 minutes, seat-fillers were ushered into different sections. Luckily, comedian Jonathan Slocumb was on stage to give guests some comic relief while waiting for the show to begin.
After the chaos calmed down, the show finally commenced with an opening number by female hip-hop legends MC Lyte, Salt-N-Pepa, Yo-Yo, Monie Love and DJ Spinderella. R&B superstars Raheem DeVaughn, Joe and Kelly Price also hit the stage paying tribute to the honorees being awarded for their endless contributions to the Black community.
This year’s honorees included TV and film producer Will Packer, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Ne-Yo, comedic legend George Wallace, former U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman, General Motors executive Alicia Boler-Davis, Wayne County Community College Chancellor Dr. Curtis Ivery, Arun Gandhi (grandson of Mohandas Gandhi), Saudi Arabian Princess Basmah Bit Saud. The event was hosted by actors Terrence J and Nia Long.
The show is scheduled to air on Boom TV.
Check out some of the red carpet pictures below
Photos by Lauren Marinez for Steed Media Service
