Loretta Devine to Receive Vanguard Award at Hollywood Confidential Event
EXCLUSIVE: The acclaimed event series Hollywood Confidential, created by author and producer Steve Jones, will present veteran actor Loretta Devine with its Vanguard Award for career achievement at its upcoming edition.
This event coincides with the 30th anniversary of the iconic romantic comedy Waiting to Exhale, which featured Devine alongside stars Angela Bassett, Whitney Houston, and Wendell Pierce.
The award presentation will take place on February 27 at the Saban Theatre in Los Angeles. The evening will also feature an intimate discussion between Jones and Devine, titled “A Moment To Exhale With Our Dreamgirl.”
“Loretta Devine has built a career on truth,” Jones remarked. “Whether through humor, heartbreak, or quiet strength, she brings an honesty to her work that audiences immediately recognize and trust. Her performances don’t just entertain—they affirm our shared humanity and leave a lasting imprint on culture.”
Devine is a celebrated Emmy Award winner and has received multiple NAACP Image Awards. She was also an original cast member of the Broadway production of Dreamgirls. Her extensive credits include This Christmas, Crash, Jumping the Broom, Boston Public, Grey’s Anatomy, and The PJs.
Previous honorees of Hollywood Confidential include notable figures such as Lupita Nyong’o, Regina King, Angela Bassett, Issa Rae, KeKe Palmer, and Snoop Dogg. Last year, Mara Brock Akil received the Icon Award during a ceremony at The Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.
Jones has been at the helm of the Hollywood Confidential series for over a decade. Last year, he released a non-fiction book titled Hollywood Confidential: 12 Secrets to Becoming the Star of Your Own Life with HarperCollins. The upcoming event with Devine is presented by Wells Fargo.
Steve Jones and Mara Brock Akil. Credit: Hollywood Confidential.
“Partnering with Hollywood Confidential for this special event is truly an honor,” stated Gigi Dixon, head of External Engagement at Wells Fargo.
“Celebrating Loretta Devine—a trailblazing, award-winning actress—reflects our commitment to uplifting talent that shapes culture and inspires excellence. We are proud to support Hollywood Confidential as it continues its tradition of honoring the extraordinary cultural contributions and acting achievements of remarkable artists like Ms. Devine.”
