Purlie Victorious Opening Night, Kobe Blaise B-day & More| Ebony

From a birthday party for a 90 Day Fiancé fan fave to one of the most anticipated returns on Broadway, catch up on these hot events from the week.

Kobe's Special Birthday Celebration

Kobe Blaise,TheTopofTheStandard, TLC. — Kobe Blaise at *90 Day* *Fiancé*'s tenth-anniversary party. Image: courtesy TLC.

Kobe Blaise, who starred in the ninth season of TLC's runaway hit 90 Day Fiancé, turned the series' tenth-anniversary celebration into his personal birthday party—with his cast and creatives' full approval. Held on September 26 at Top of the Standard in New York City, the Cameroonian ex-model was called on stage to blow out the sparkler on his birthday dessert as his partner Emily Bieberly cheered on from the crowd. (If only 90 Day fanatic Rihanna could have been in the house to sing "Happy Birthday!")

Manuel and Ashley at 90 Day Fiancé's tenth-anniversary party. Image: courtesy TLC. — Manuel and Ashley at *90 Day Fiancé*'s tenth-anniversary party. Image: courtesy TLC.

Also spotted among the revelers were upcoming season 10 couple Ashley and Manuel. 90 Day Fiancé's new season premieres October 8 on TLC.

Star-Studded Opening for Purlie Victorious

Spike Lee, Tonya Lewis Lee Purlie Victorious — Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee at *Purlie Victorious* opening night. Image: Getty Images.

Spike Lee, Tonya Lewis Lee, Samuel L. Jackson and LaTanya Richardson Jackson were just a few celebs who caught the spirit at Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch's opening night on September 27. Leslie Odom, Jr., who won a Tony Award for his portrayal of Aaron Burr in Hamilton, marks his return to the Broadway stage playing Purlie, a charismatic preacher who descends upon his Southern hometown to reclaim an old church for his African American patrons. Directed by Kenny Leon and written by the late Ossie Davis (who starred in the lead role opposite his wife Ruby Dee), the satirical comedy first premiered on Broadway in 1961; it was featured on an EBONY cover the same year.

Bethann Hardison Honored

Frédéric Tcheng and Bethann Hardison at Albie Awards. Image: John Mazlish.

There's no slowing down Bethann Hardison, who has been touting her new documentary Invisible Beauty across the nation. The octogenarian and her film co-director Frédéric Tcheng accepted the 2023 Albie Award at the Maysles Documentary Center awards dinner in Harlem, New York, on September 27. After being introduced by director and Beauty producer Lisa Cortes, Hardison stated, "We were clicking up our heels, jumping up and down and feeling extremely honored" over receiving the glass plaque. In a candid EBONY interview, the model-turned-activist gave more insight into her fight for equality in the modeling industry.