Loretta Divine curved Tia Mowry when Tia tried to kiss her at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon in Los Angeles, California on Thursday, March 12.
Tia was slow to catch on that Loretta’s body language showed discomfort. Maybe Tia is on the spectrum? People who are on the spectrum can’t read body language. They’re often slow to pick up on another person’s discomfort or annoyance with them.
Viral video shows Tia crowding Loretta on the powder blue carpet before the luncheon. Tia leaned in for a kiss on the lips, but Loretta curved her. An embarrassed Tia asked Loretta “Did you see my message I gave you… on Instagram?” But Tia was still too close for Loretta’s comfort.
“I’ll leave you alone,” Tia said, before kissing Loretta on the cheek. “She smells good y’all,” Tia said. “You so bad!” Loretta said, while waving her away.
“Is Tia drunk?” one X.com user wrote in a comment.
Other users said Loretta is not down with Hollywood’s LGBTQ+ agenda. But one user noted she played a butch lesbian in Gabrielle Union’s TV series, “Being Mary Jane,” which ran from 2014-2017.
Other well-heeled celebrities at the star-studded Essence luncheon included Tamara Tunie (pictured), Teyana Taylor, Chase Infiniti, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Michael B. Jordan, Zendaya Coleman, Kerry Washington, Halle and Chloe Bailey, Kandi and Riley Burruss, Ryan Coogler and Zinzi Evans, Delroy Lindo, DeVon Franklin and Maria Castillo, Tyrese, Lynn Whitfield, Eva Marcille, Coco Jones, and many more!
Loretta said she ain’t kissing nothing over here… ??? pic.twitter.com/zU1nADs7hI
— ?? (@DiaryOfKeysus) March 12, 2026
Teyana Taylor and Honoree Chase Infiniti attend the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Michael B. Jordan attends the 2026 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Zendaya Coleman attends the 2026 Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon at Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Tamara Tunie at the 2026 Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon at Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Wunmi Mosaku and Tash Moseley at the 2026 Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon in Los Angeles, CA.
Sheryl Lee Ralph at the 2026 Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon at Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel.
Kerry Washington at the 2026 Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon in Los Angeles.
Kandi Burruss and Riley Burruss at the 2026 Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon in Los Angeles.
Halle Bailey at the 2026 Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon in Los Angeles.
Devon Franklin and Maria Castillo at the 2026 Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon in Los Angeles.
Chloe Bailey at the 2026 Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon in Los Angeles.
Mya at the 2026 Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon in Los Angeles.
Eva Marcille at the 2026 Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon in Los Angeles.
Tyrese Gibson at the 2026 Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon in Los Angeles.
Marsai Martin at the 2026 Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon in Los Angeles.
Cynthia Bailey at the 2026 Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon in Los Angeles. Click any image to see more photos from the luncheon!
