Video! Oscar Fashion: Black, White, Elegant and Sexy

February 27, 2012 Academy Awards

Shimmering white gowns and dangerously cut black dresses ruled on the red carpet at the 2012 Academy Awards red carpet at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles. See which stars completed "Extra's" Oscar checklist before they got ready!

'Extra' Raw! 'The Help' Stars at the 2012 Oscars

February 26, 2012 Academy Awards

Oscar-nominated actresses from "The Help" -- Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer -- spoke with "Extra" on the red carpet at the 2012 Academy Awards on Sunday. Spencer won her first Oscar for her role as the sassy Minny Jackson.

Check out the video!

Octavia Spencer Among Honorees at 2012 Essence Luncheon

February 24, 2012 Awards Shows

The 5th Annual Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon celebrated African-American trailblazers of the big and small screen. This year's honorees included Pam Grier, Paula Patton, Shonda Rhimes, Kerry Washington and Oscar nominee Octavia Spencer.

Flip through the gallery!

For more on the event, go to Essence.com.

Oscar Fashion: What Will Rooney, Viola and Michelle Wear?

February 20, 2012 Fashion

As Hollywood prepares for a glamorous night at the Oscars this Sunday, Gilt.com's Lifestyle Editor Chassie Post predicts what to expect on the red carpet. "Designers are really clamoring to get their dresses on that red carpet," Post said, and in terms of bright colors, she anticipates "fuchsias, electric blues, emerald greens -- we've also seen a lot of nudes."

Of three of the five leading ladies up for Best Actress -- Michelle Williams, Rooney Mara and Viola Davis -- Post said, "Rooney wears black better than anybody on the red carpet, but we heard a rumor that she is going to wear color."

Sneak Peek! 'Oprah's Oscar Special'

February 13, 2012 Academy Awards

In the "First Look: Oprah's Oscar Special," Oprah Winfrey is taking viewers inside the lives of three of this year's breakout Academy Award nominees; Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer and Jonah Hill.

Watch the preview!

First Look: Oprah's Oscar® Special

Tune in to watch this two-hour special on Wednesday, February 15, at 9/8c on OWN.

The Extra List: 2012 Best Actress Nominees

January 31, 2012 Academy Awards

"Extra" takes a closer look at this year's Academy Award nominees for Best Actress -- Glenn Close, Viola Davis, Rooney Mara, Meryl Streep and Michelle Williams.

Who are you rooting for?

Best Actress Oscar Nominees 2012: Did You Know?

Glenn Close

Nominated for: "Albert Nobbs"Award-Worthy: nominated 5 times for an Oscar, won 3 Tonys, an Obie, 3 Emmys, 2 Golden Globes and 1 SAG AwardInteresting Fact: Glenn's first role as a man wasn't in "Albert Nobbs." The actress had a brief cameo in Steven Spielberg's 1991 "Hook" as one of the bearded male pirates on Captain Hook's ship.Quote: When Close received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2009, she said someday, years from now, someone will see her star and say, "Glenn Close? Glenn Close? Oh yeah, HE was good."

Viola Davis

Nominated for: "The Help"Award-Worthy: Viola was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for the 2008 film, "Doubt."Interesting Fact: For her eight-minute scene in "Doubt," Viola put together a 50-page biography of her character. That scene earned her an Academy Award nomination.Quote: "I can't deal with actors! I can't deal with myself. We're neurotic and miserable... I love what I'm doing, but while I'm doing it, I'm miserable."

Rooney Mara

Nominated for: "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"Award-Worthy: nominated for a Best Actress Golden Globe Award for her role as Lisbeth Salander in "Dragon Tattoo"Interesting Fact: Mara's father is Timothy Mara, the vice president of the NY Giants.Quote: Many of Rooney's piercings for "Dragon Tattoo" were real, and the star admitted, "I didn't even have pierced ears. They put four holes in each ear, and, weirdly, that hurt the most."

Meryl Streep

Nominated for: "The Iron Lady"Award-Worthy: Meryl is officially the world's most nominated actress, with 17 Oscar nods and 26 Golden Globe nominations!Interesting Fact: The gifted actress immerses herself in whatever role she takes on, and even learned how to speak Polish for her part in "Sophie's Choice" -- and taking home her second Oscar. (The first was for "Kramer vs. Kramer.")Quote: "Every single decision I make about what material I do, what I'm putting out in the world, is because of my children."

Michelle Williams

Nominated for: "My Week with Marilyn"Award-Worthy: Williams gained recognition after her part in "Brokeback Mountain" and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, as well as a BAFTA and SAG Award. She was also nominated for her role as Cindy in "Blue Valentine," opposite Ryan Gosling.Interesting Fact: The actress remembers her ex-boyfriend and daughter's father, Heath Ledger, and explained her short 'do, telling Elle magazine, "I cut it for the one straight man who has ever really liked short hair and I wear it in memorial for somebody who really liked it."Quote: "When my daughter asks, 'What do you do?', every movie I have a different answer. As she grows, she wants more explanations."

L'Oreal Paris' Style Awards at the 2012 SAG Awards

January 30, 2012 Awards Shows

Find out which lovely actresses won the L'Oreal Paris Style Awards for "Best Trend," "Best Tressed" and "Best Dressed" at the 2012 SAG Awards!

Video! Viola Davis' SAG Award Victory Dance

January 30, 2012 Awards Shows

"Extra's" Jerry Penacoli laughed it up with the whole cast of "The Help" after their win for Best Film Ensemble at the 2012 SAG Awards, where he received a big smooch from Allison Janney - and caught Female Actor in Leading Role Award winner Viola Davis do her victory dance.

Check it out!