Nine-year-old Oscar nominee Quvenzhané Wallis had to stand on a box to reach the podium when she was honored at Essence magazine’s sixth annual Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon Thursday. The child star, nominated for Best Actress for her role in “Beasts of the Southern Wild,” thanked her baby-sitter, who was on- set with her during the filming of the indie movie, and her family. Oprah Winfrey, Alfre Woodard, TV scribe Mara Brock Akil and Gabrielle Union were also honored at the pre-Oscars power lunch. When technical difficulties stalled a video presentation during the ceremony, Grammy-winning rapper and actor Common provided some impromptu entertainment: As it was being fixed, Common busted out a freestyle rap onstage about all the amazing ladies in the house, prompting guests to give him a standing ovation. “Skyfall” actress Naomie Harris (aka Miss Moneypenny) was also honored at the show, where guests included Naomi Campbell, Kelly Rowland
and Star Jones.
Smallest star steals the show
