Kerry Washington made headlines for her standout style on the red carpet at the Hollywood Reporter’s Women In Entertainment gala on December 3, 2025, where she was seen alongside Jennifer Lopez. The appearance highlighted both stars as significant figures in the industry, reinforcing the relevance of the Kerry Washington red carpet moment at this high-profile event in Los Angeles.
Hollywood Reporter Gala Welcomes Industry Icons
During the annual Women In Entertainment gala, former American Idol judge Jennifer Lopez appeared at the event, reuniting with Bronx roots, and was photographed with Kerry Washington, the renowned star of Scandal. Jennifer Lopez, who first joined American Idol as a judge for its 10th season in 2011, had several stints on the panel over the years. Her presence at the event underscored her ongoing impact in multiple entertainment arenas.
The two actresses were clearly enjoying each other’s company and caught the attention of photographers as they posed together. Lopez wore a sophisticated brown pencil skirt suit, while Washington chose a distinctive, textured strapless black dress that’s noted for its sweetheart neckline. Completing her ensemble, Washington matched it with a pair of silver metallic, pointy-toed pumps, capturing her characteristic elegance.
A-List Attendees Grace the Red Carpet
The event was marked by the arrival of prominent women from film and television, further elevating the red carpet’s glitz and glamor. Kerry Washington and Jennifer Lopez were among the standout personalities, joined by Dakota Johnson of Fifty Shades of Grey, as well as Sarah Paulson and Gwyneth Paltrow, making it a gathering of some of the industry’s most influential talents.
Spotlighting Power: The Hollywood Reporter’s 100 Most Powerful List
Coinciding with the gala, The Hollywood Reporter unveiled the 2025 edition of its
“100 Most Powerful Women in Entertainment”
list, honoring both Kerry Washington and Jennifer Lopez for their significant contributions to the field on the day of the event. Lopez was highlighted in the publication as
“a triple-threat who has made waves in music, Broadway, and acting,”
and gained attention for her recent production work on Kiss of the Spider Woman. The magazine anticipated a busy year for Lopez, mentioning,
“A single feature in a year is rare for the prolific Lopez, so she’ll follow up with two (plus a Las Vegas residency) in 2026: ‘Office Romance,’ opposite Brett Goldstein, and Robert Zemeckis’ ‘The Last Mrs. Parrish’.”
— The Hollywood Reporter
Kerry Washington was recognized for leading the Netflix war drama The Six Triple Eight during the 2024 holiday season. Her roles in “Shadow Force” from Lionsgate as well as
“Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery”
were cited as examples of her dynamic career. The feature also delved into Washington’s outlook for the future, including her prediction that
“people will finally stop underestimating Kim Kardashian.”
Industry Recognition and Future Expectations
This year’s Hollywood Reporter gala brought together notable attendance from across the entertainment sector, with recognition given to women driving change and creativity. Both Jennifer Lopez and Kerry Washington solidified their status within the industry through new roles, ongoing productions, and numerous public appearances. With upcoming projects involving Brett Goldstein and director Robert Zemeckis for Lopez, along with Washington’s continuing collaboration with Lionsgate and streaming platforms like Netflix, both stars are poised to remain prominent in the coming year. Observers will be watching as these powerhouses continue to shape the landscape of film, television, and live performances.
