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Meryl Streep Gets Praised By Viola Davis: 'I Always Feel Like She Sees Me'

Viola Davis is opening up about her friendship with Meryl Streep, who wrote an essay about her after she was named one of Time magazine’s most influential people.

“What I love about Meryl is I always feel like she sees me,” Viola, 51, told ET while hitting the carpet at the Time 100 Gala on Tuesday night (April 25) in New York City. “I never feel like the words she has for me are haphazard. I feel like they’re very specific and they’re well thought out and that makes me feel good. It makes me feel like she really is a friend, that she really takes me in.”

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Meryl Streep

“Besides the fact that it’s Meryl Streep, she really doesn’t have to give me anything, really,” Viola added. “When she just sends me a text message she doesn’t know I get so happy. I try to play it off, I really do, I’m like, ‘Oh ok well have a good day’ but I’m really like, ‘Oh my god, she texted me back!’”

Pictured: Meryl hitting the red carpet with composer, lyricist and honoree Stephen Sondheim, Alan Cumming and Audra McDonald at PEN America’s 2017 Literary Gala held at the American Museum of Natural History on Tuesday (April 25) in New York City.

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Jessica Chastain & Lena Dunham Slam Bill O'Reilly at Power of Women Event

Jessica Chastain and Lena Dunham hit the carpet while attending Variety’s Power of Women event on Friday morning (April 21) at Cipriani Midtown in New York City.

The ladies both spoke at the event and took time to slam Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly, who was just fired from The O’Reilly Factor amid claims of sexual harassment.

Lena spoke to honor Gretchen Carlson, who was the first woman at Fox News to speak out against sexual harassment at the company.

“I’m in the very privileged position to be able to say whatever the f�”k I want most of the time,” Lena said (via Variety). “But when you work in a corporate infrastructure the challenge of coming out about sexual harassment is so massive. And to see a woman who surmounted that and bravely made space for other women to do the same is deeply inspired.”

“We also should’ve known a few years ago about Bill O’Reilly when he confused a loofah with a falafel. So this isn’t fresh info,” she added.

Jessica decided not to refer to Bill by his name during her speech.

“Most recently women said ‘No’ to a certain Fox News anchor,” she said. “After years of sexual assault accusations and settlements were unearthed, women’s rights groups called for the advertisers to pull their support from the show and companies listened. And so did Fox. As a result, the 8 o’clock news hour will be known as simply ‘The Factor.’ This is our collective power in action.”

Other women in attendance included Salma Hayek, Audra McDonald, Danielle Brooks, Chelsea Clinton, Gayle King, Ashley Graham, Vanessa Bayer, and Tina Knowles.

FYI: Jessica is wearing a Carolina Herrera dress and Stella Luna shoes. Ashley is wearing a Fleur du Mal corset and Schutz shoes.

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Oprah Winfrey Talks Vacationing with the Obamas: 'What Happens on the Boat, Stays on the Boat'

Oprah Winfrey is all smiles as she arrives at the premiere of her new HBO film The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks on Tuesday night (April 18) at the SVA Theater in New York City.

The 63-year-old actress, entrepreneur, and former talk show host was joined at the premiere by her co-stars Rose Byrne, Renée Elise Goldsberry, and Courtney B. Vance.

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Oprah Winfrey

At the premiere, Oprah played coy when asked about her recent vacation with former President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Tom Hanks, and Bruce Springsteen where the stars enjoyed some fun in the sun aboard a yacht of the coast of Tahiti.

“This is the deal, what happens on the boat stays on the boat,” Oprah joked with Extra. “There were conversations all the time, that’s all we did was talk, we talked and everybody else did a lot of paddle boarding. I’m not really good with the ocean. Me and the ocean don’t get along too good, there was a lot of paddle boarding, snorkeling, jet skiing, lots of good stuff.”

Other guests at the premiere included Cynthia Erivo, Lee Daniels, and Audra McDonald.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks premiere on HBO on April 22.

FYI: Rose is wearing a Rosie Assoulin dress, Broken English jewelry, Anita Ko earrings, and Jimmy Choo shoes and clutch.

15+ pictures inside of stars arriving at the premiere…

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Blake Lively, Jessica Chastain, Audra McDonald Stand Up for a Cause in Variety's Power of Women

Chelsea Clinton, Blake Lively, Jessica Chastain, Gayle King, Audra McDonald, and Shari Redstone have been chosen as Variety‘s Power of Women to cover the Power of Women NY issues.

The six women were chosen because they have made a difference in the world by lending their support to important causes and charities. Here’s a selection of what they had to share…

Blake, on taking on child pornography: “There are millions of files all over the world being traded every single day of child pornography…It’s so disturbing. A lot of these people are fathers.”

Jessica, on Planned Parenthood: “That’s where I got my birth control pills. That’s where I learned about sex education. It was a very important place to me.”

Audra, on spending time with homeless youths: “You wake up the next morning, if you slept at all, and you’re converted. These kids, this is their life. It just changes you’re worldview. It can’t not.”

For more from the women, visit Variety.comMore Here! »

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Emma Watson Reveals a Hidden Message in 'Beauty & the Beast'

Emma Watson is bringing Beauty and the Beast to the Big Apple!

The 26-year-old actress stepped out in a gorgeous black gown at the premiere on Monday night (March 13) in New York City.

She was joined by Dan Stevens, Josh Gad, Josh Groban, Audra McDonald, Stanley Tucci and Ewan McGregor.

Emma recently opened up about how her character Belle’s love of books holds an important hidden meaning.

“[Books are] so powerful and they have the ability to change your life and your outlook, and this story really speaks to that, the sacred nature of books and their ability to transport you and empower you,” she told Mashable.

Emma added, “We still live in a world where there are probably over 80 million girls who won’t get to go to school just because of their gender.”

FYI: Emma is wearing Christopher Kane and an Eva Fehren earcuff. Audra is carrying a Judith Leiber x Disney Beauty and the Beast collection clutch.

10+ pictures inside from the Beauty and the Beast premiere…
More Here! »

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Dan Stevens & Luke Evans Suit Up for the 'Beauty & the Beast' Premiere!

Dan Stevens looks handsome in a teal suit as he arrives at the Beauty and the Beast premiere with his wife Susie Hariet on Thursday (March 2) at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood.

The 34-year-old actor was joined on the red carpet by fellow handsome cast mates Luke Evans and Josh Gad.

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Dan Stevens

Also spotted looking glam as they arrived at the premiere was Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Audra McDonald.

FYI: Gugu is wearing an Oscar de la Renta gown, Jimmy Choo shoes, and Cartier jewelry.

15+ pictures inside of the stars arriving at the Beauty and the Beast premiere…

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Emma Watson Joins Her Leading Men at 'Beauty & The Beast' London Photo Call

Emma Watson is sandwiched in between her handsome leading men Luke Evans and Dan Stevens at a photo call for Beauty and the Beast on Friday (February 24) at the Corinthia Hotel in London, England.

Also stepping out for the photo call were Stanley Tucci and Audra McDonald.

The full cast walked the red carpet the night before for the world premiere of the upcoming Disney live action remake.

Later in the evening, Emma was seen wearing a white dress for the after party. She actually wore the dress back in September as well!

FYI: Emma is wearing a 3.1 Phillip Lim look at the photo call.

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