Yesterday evening, the official New York City screening of the HBO movie Bessie was held in the Big Apple’s Museum of Modern Art, and some big names came out for the showing.

While the spotlight was held on the film’s star, Queen Latifah, who portrays the role of Blues singer Bessie Smith, other stars managed to turn heads as they hit up the red carpet and entered the building.

Mo’Nique, who plays Ma Rainey for the powerful film, came out for the screening, along with Tika Sumpter, Tory Kittles, director Dee Rees, and Khandi Alexander, who also starred in the movie. Mary J. Blige, Estelle, and Deborah Lee also came out to see the film with the rest of the cast, crew, and attendees, looking as glamorous as ever.

The granddaughter of Bessie Smith, Beverly Ann Clarke, also came out for the film’s events in NYC, snapping some red carpet photos with Tika.

The MoMA was set up to capture the film’s aura during the time period of Bessie Smith’s success in music, displaying images of entertainment shows held, as well as projected videos onto the walls. After the screening finished, many stars and public figures mingled around the display room, before heading over to the after party reception at the Edison hotel.

See all of the photos from the Bessie screening in NYC on the following pages.