Slimmed down or beefed up, Dwayne Johnson is an icon. And now the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is giving him his due. The Moana star will receive the Entertainment Icon Award at the ABFF Honors gala in February 2026. Said NICE CROWD CEO and President Jeff and Nicole Friday: “From his trailblazing career in sports entertainment to his extraordinary success in film and television, he has become one of the most influential and beloved figures in global culture,” via statement. “His journey embodies the power of perseverance, authenticity, and charisma — values that reflect the spirit of ABFF.” The evening will also honor Jennifer Hudson with the Renaissance Award, trailblazing director and executive producer Salli Richardson-Whitfield with the Evolution Award and critically acclaimed actor Damson Idris with the Horizon Award.
Kandi Burruss Accepts Wifetime Achievement Award
Kandi Burruss accepted a major honor at BravoCon Live with Andy Cohen Presents: The Bravos, which aired on the network on November 16. The former Real Housewives of Atlanta star received the Wifetime Achievement Award, becoming its second awardee since its inception.
Introduced as a Broadway producer, restaurateur, actor, GRAMMY award-winning singer-songwriter and mom, the award was presented to Burress by former castmate Cynthia Bailey and Burruss’ eldest child, Next Gen NYC star Riley Burruss. The duo introduced a compilation clip featuring Burress’ reign on RHOA, from her early days through her fiery reunion moments.
Burruss, dressed in a fur and leather bustier and fringed skirt, took the stage to accept the prestigious award and shared how RHOA changed her life. “Little did I know Bravo was gonna have me crying, laughing, arguing, singing, reading bitches and collecting more checks that I did not expect,” she exclaimed, before thanking the “real MVPs,” Bravo fans: “You are my Kandi-koated click for real.”
Burruss then gave love to her fellow RHOA sisters. “To every woman I ever filmed RHOA with, I see some of y’all here tonight. The good, the bad, the shade, the reads, the laughs, the tears. We made history together,” she stated. “Even though I moved on, I will always cherish my time as a housewife. I will always represent our Bravo family because I’m worldwide, and I’ll always be embedded in your mother#&^# brain, b#@%@. Thank you, Bravo.”
Other highlights from BravoCon, held in Las Vegas over the weekend, included The Real Housewives of Potomac stars Wendy Osefo and Karen Huger, who have both dealt with public legal issues this year, making an appearance.