Last night in Beverly Hills, Essence hosted a red-carpet event honoring Black Women in Hollywood. Katie Holmes (not black) came! Star Jones (not Hollywood) was also on hand! Katie, of course, looked gorgeous, as did so many of the other women in attendance, including Jada Pinkett Smith, Tatyana Ali (who embraced the best of California casual), Gabrielle Union (who made basic black glam), and Paula Patton, who was over-the-top in polka dots. Less successful looks were worn by Rashida Jones, Garcelle Beauvais, Layla Ali, Nia Long, Vivica A. Fox, and Kerry Washington. The full Good, Bad, and Ugly, after the jump.

The Good:
Despite the hand of Tom Cruise yanking her down the red carpet, Katie Holmes looks gorgeous.
The hair needs a little help, but I love Tatyana Ali's slouchy and bright laid-back look.
Gabrielle Union shines in black.
Jada Pinkett Smith's dress makes up for her zombie face.
Paula Patton's a pin-up girl!

The Bad:
There's just too much going on with Rashida Jones's dress: The one shoulder, the ruffles — pick a detail and run with it.
Layla Ali's dress is so bottom two on Project Runway material.
Too much bad color matched with too much sine makes for a miss for Garcelle Beauvais.
Nia Long: No, no, no.
Vivica A. Fox's offense? Having failed to update her look past 1996.

The Ugly:
I'm saddened to see that Kerry Washington strapped a tutu to her bust and then covered her body with sequins.

[All images via Getty.]