Otis Williams of The Temptations To Be Honored at Hollywood Beauty Awards

By: LATF Music Staff
Music
March 28, 2025, 11:09 pm
Photo Credits: Courtesy of HBA / JDSPR

The annual Hollywood Beauty Awards (HBAs) announced the 2025 Gentleman’s Award honoree: the legendary Otis Williams of The Temptations.

The HBAs will celebrate a decade of honoring the architects of beauty on Sunday, April 6, 2025 at Avalon Hollywood, a black-tie dinner ceremony benefitting Helen Woodward Animal Center.

The HBAs recognize talent in hair, makeup, photography and styling for Film, TV, Music, the red carpet and editorial, as well as special honorees.

In 2018, Lionel Richie presented the premiere Gentleman’s Award to Smokey Robinson. Former honorees also include Larry King, Joe Mantegna and Edward James Olmos.

Otis Clayborn Williams, a founding member of the Grammy-winning group The Temptations, is a music legend.

For over 60 years, he has been the chief architect of the group’s evolution, shaping one of the most enduring catalogs in music history. The sole surviving original member, Williams remains a global icon, still performing today.

Born in Texarkana, Texas, in 1941, he moved to Detroit at age 11, where he was inspired by gospel and early R&B. By high school, he formed several groups before co-founding The Temptations in 1961. Originally known as The Elgins, the group—Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, and Elbridge “Al” Bryant—signed with Berry Gordy’s Motown Records, where they became part of the label’s legendary roster. Smokey Robinson helped craft their breakthrough hit, “My Girl” (1965), which became a cultural milestone, later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and the National Recording Registry.

With a string of hits, The Temptations became show business titans, appearing on TV shows like The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show, and breaking barriers with primetime specials alongside Diana Ross & The Supremes. They helped define Motown’s golden era, setting the standard for synchronized choreography and impeccable harmonies.

Williams chronicled his journey in his 1988 autobiography, which inspired the Emmy-winning miniseries Temptations and the Tony-winning Broadway musical Ain’t Too Proud. His contributions to Motown, American music, and Black culture are undeniable. In 2006, he received an honorary doctorate from Stillman College.

Now 83, Williams continues to perform as The Temptations launch a 2025 national tour, proving their legacy remains stronger than ever.

Otis Williams will accept The Gentleman’s Award at the black-tie ceremony on Sunday, April 6, 2025 benefitting Helen Woodward Animal Center.

Oscar® nominated makeup artist Donald Mowat is the 2025 HBA Ambassador.

PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED HONOREES:

The Timeless Beauty Award, presented by GALDERMA: Dyan Cannon

Brand of the Year: Victoria Jackson for NO MAKEUP MAKEUP®

Fragrance of the Year: Clive Christian

The Breakthrough Award: Cori Broadus for CHOC FACTORY

The International Beauty Award: Parfums de Marly for DELINA

Outstanding Achievement in Photography: Davis Factor

Outstanding Achievement in International Hairstyling: Mitsuyo Takasaki

Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design: Janty Yates

Outstanding Achievement in SFX Makeup: Mike Marino

Outstanding Achievement in Makeup: Debi Young

Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling: Brian Badie

Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling: Sanna Seppanen

Additional honorees will be announced shortly.

The HBAs revealed the nominees in their specialty categories for Makeup, Hairstyling, Styling, Photography and Groomer of the Year. Three nominees who specialize in appearances for the red carpet and editorial compete in a category named after the current year Outstanding Achievement honorees.

THE 2025 HBA NOMINEES ARE:

(Listed alphabetically by First Name)

THE DY MAKEUP AWARD

DEE CARRION

ERNESTO CASILLAS

JOANNA SIMKIN

THE MM MAKEUP AWARD

CAROLINA GONZALEZ

KRISTOFER BUCKLE

MICHAEL ANTHONY

GROOMER OF THE YEAR

JAMIE RICHMOND