By Karu F. Daniels, BlackVoices.com

When General Motors has a party, they really know how to put it down.

The Detroit-based automotive giant hosted a swanky soiree immediately following last night's '39th NAACP Image Awards' ceremony, and it seemed like every black person who lived in Los Angeles (and worked in and near the entertainment business) came out for the festivities.

Held at Beverly Hills' fabled Beverly Hilton Hotel (home of the 'Golden Globe Awards' and Clive Davis' legendary pre-Grammy Awards celebration), there was so many shades of beautiful brown, it was easy to get caught up in the rapture.

Hip-hop legend Doug E Fresh served as the party's entertainment and in true form, he kept the joint jumping with much hip-shaking, two stepping and bumping and grinding.

When I rolled up on D.L. Hughley, who hosted the awards show, about his disparaging remarks in defense of Don Imus during the Rutgers University women's basketball team controversy, the sharp witted funnyman shot, "don't be mad, you know I told the truth."

Ummmmm.

I reminded him that I knew of him when he first started in the business and was represented by my good friends Toni Green and Priscilla Chatman of Pretty Special, Inc. This was circa 1991.

He acknowledged the moment of nostalgia, but still didn't give in to my logic regarding Rutgers.

"You know what it is, I don't think its anything wrong with a man having an opinion," he said, deadpanning, "Lets be realistic. It was a joke. I don't know a whole lot of attractive female basketball players."

Me, ever the ambassador, threw out "Lisa Leslie."

"Yeah and that's it," he agreed. "Now name me three other ones," he dared.

Speechless.
"The idea is that I'm doing what I always done," the Los Angeles native continued. "I respect dissent. I respect you for not having the same opinion as I do. And I respect somebody owning their own point of view. But if we're going to be a homogenized society where everybody says and does the right thing, then we're not truth."

The 'Original Kings of Comedy' star relished that the awards show organizers didn't hold that against him, and likened the show – which he has hosted in the past – as a "family reunion."

"Now, I've hosted other shows but I think that being here, it always feels like coming home," he added.

"I would say that within the next 100 years, I can get the NAACP some new stationary because we ain't been "colored" since 'A Raisin in the Sun.'"

During promotion rounds to hype the show, which aired live on Fox last night, Hughley was quoted as making some off-color remarks about Aretha Franklin – who caused a firestorm of media fodder directed at pop superstar Beyonce for referring to Tina Turner as 'The Queen" during the Grammy Awards earlier in the week.

Him hosting this year's Image Awards, which Franklin was awarded the prestigious Vanguard Award, could've presented a dicey challenge for show brass.

But it all worked out for the best, he said.

Hughley revealed that Franklin did reach out to him before the show, explaining "You know I'm not a mean guy. There is nothing that I say that's in the spirit of malice. I'm not making up shit to be mean. It's just like the way I see it."

"Aretha is the Queen of Soul, a wonderful woman," he stated, adding, "it's funny that people get upset about the things that they get upset about."


Spotted throughout the jam-packed affair were a multitude of young, black and fabulous Hollywood movers and shakers, including former 'All My Children' and 'The Wire' star Michael B. Jordan – who looks all grown up since he ditched his plaits for a shorter more mature do.

'Ugly Betty' star America Ferrerra, who won the award for Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, was gracious enough to strike a pose for the camera.

'America's Next Top Model' winner Eva Marcell Pigford was a vision to see -- radiating as she stepped out with her new lover, 'House of Payne' star Lance Gross, who won the award for "Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series."

"My boyfriend won two awards and his cast-mate, who plays his father LeVan Davis, and I'm absolutely stoked and it was absolutely awesome," she gushed.

"My favorite part was Ruby Dee. I was crying."

According to the Los Angeles native, who was a Cover Girl cosmetics spokesmodel and appeared in a string of films – including 'Crossover,' 'Premium,' and 'I Think I Love My Wife' – since winning the show, the two have been dating for nine months -- since she made a guest appearance on the Atlanta based sitcom.

"As long as a pregnancy," she quipped.

"We just started coming out in the public," she said, adding that the tall, dark and dashing actor showered her with ten dozens of roses for Valentine's Day.

Gross, who stars in Tyler Perry's upcoming 'Meet The Browns' was all smiles, adding, "I'm a blessed man,' when asked about his first acting award ... and having Pigford on his arm.

With his smoldering eyes and winning smile, 'Psych' star Dule Hill also attended the event, along with actors Evan Ross, NaShawn Kearse, Daniel Sunjahta, C.C. H. Pounder, 'Grey's Anatomy' director Shonda Rhimes, up and coming handbag designer Nikki Chu, 'Dirty Laundry' director Maurice Jamal, 'Noah's Arc' creator Patrik Ian Polk, grassroots activist Najee Ali, TV personalities Roland Martin and Ed Gordon, and Nickelodeon star Little JJ.

Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth, clad in a cleavage-bearing gown, looked ravishing.

She was a knock-out!!!

The 'Celebrity Apprentice' star is not the bitch many think she is. Or at least she wasn't to me. And I've been accused of having an affinity for many. Surprisingly, the bronze beauty was humble and very, very alluring.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words (wink!).

Kasi Lemons was riding high on her win, too.

The 'Talk To Me' director, who is currently gracing the cover of Essence magazine, was holding court along with her longtime husband, actor/director and original 'Dreamgirls' star Vondi Curtis-Hall.

'Everybody Hates Chris' star Terry Crews, who's one of my favorite black people in Hollywood, made the scene with his beautiful "white" wife (joke) Rebecca and cut up like a pair of scissors with Sister 2 Sister publisher Jamie Foster Brown (top photo).

The media savvy Flint, Michigan native asked Foster Brown what he would have to do to get on the cover of her magazine – which celebrates its 20th year this fall.

"Take off your clothes," I responded.

No one objected.