The actress wore new pieces from H&M’s studio collection at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards luncheonJodie Turner-Smith attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards. Photo:

Pircilla Pae; Amy Sussman/Getty

Jodie Turner-Smith is going rock star-chic as she and tons of other stars celebrate the achievements of Black celebrities in Hollywood.

Speaking with PEOPLE ahead of her appearance at the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards in Los Angeles, Calif., on Thursday, Feb. 27, the actress, 38, opened up about rocking fashion from H&M Studio’s 2025 spring-summer collection.

“I went with the green leather,” Turner-Smith tells PEOPLE, describing her outfit. “Green leather miniskirt and leather jacket with these amazing boots, these up-to-the-knee boots. It’s a fun little look. It’s very rock and roll.”

Jodie Turner-Smith in H&M Studio at the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards.

Robin L Marshall/Getty

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“Rock and roll, babe. It’s giving rock star, rock star, movie star,” she jokes of the ‘fit, which she completed with a pair of oval sunglasses, also from the brand. For the Bad Monkey actress, events like these are a way for her to show off her personal style while also trying out something new.

“I like to have fun,” she says. “This is a luncheon, which is always really interesting because you can have a choice whether or not you want to go dressy or let the fact that it’s daytime event make your vibe a little bit more approachable. And so this is definitely a look that could [do day to night].”

Already a pro at red carpet events like these, Turner-Smith has a few tricks up her sleeve to make getting ready and glammed up go by in an instant, including playing music — including everything from ’60s rock and roll to ’70s soul and modern pop — as she gets her makeup and styling done.

Turner-Smith gets ready for the ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon.

Pircilla Pae

“Music is always essential for the vibe. And I also think it keeps everybody energized. When I’m getting ready for a red carpet event, it’s not just about me, it’s about the collaboration that’s happening with all of these artists that are coming together with me to create this look. I think it’s always more enjoyable for everybody when there’s music playing and everyone can catch a vibe,” she says.

“…I think it’s always good for it to be upbeat because that helps keep everybody’s energy up,” the star adds.

Events like the Essence luncheon also serve as an opportunity for The Agency actress to reflect on her role as a Black woman in Hollywood, as well as connect with the other powerful people who’ve impacted the entertainment industry this year.

Turner-Smith arrives at the awards ceremony on Thursday.

Pircilla Pae

“It is always such an honor to be acknowledged,” she tells PEOPLE of the ceremony. “Especially amongst my peers and especially amongst other incredible Black women in the business that … I can call my peers.”

Turner-Smith hit the red carpet with tons of stars at Thursday’s event — including Teyana Taylor, Tyra Banks, Cynthia Erivo, Niecy Nash-Betts and her wife, Jessica Betts, Tia Mowry, Zoë Kravitz and dozens more — and she tells PEOPLE that even after nearly a decade in the film industry, she still finds herself “fangirling” over all of them.

“As I mentioned before, [it’s] always an honor to be in a room full of Black women that are so accomplished and have done so much, and even many have done way more than I have and that I look up to. Like Issa Rae said, ‘I’m rooting for everybody Black,'” she says, quoting the Insecure star.

Turner-Smith gets glammed up for the awards ceremony.

Pircilla Pae

“I’m just excited to be in that room full of Black powerhouses. I mean, every single person in there. …Teyana Taylor’s a wonderful friend of mine who I absolutely adore, and Cynthia [Erivo], who’s having such a powerhouse year,” she continues. “I’m probably going to be fangirling in the room today, take selfies with each honoree and each wonderful woman who’s in there.”

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Originally from the U.K., Turner-Smith also opened up about what it means to her to be attending an event that aims to honor the achievements of Black women, particularly amidst the political turmoil in the U.S.

“It’s Black History Month in America, which is wonderful, but also with everything that’s going on in the country where our own government is devaluing the importance of uplifting Black people and acknowledging not only their contribution, …it is necessary to create space for them to be able to contribute after being held back from being able to do so for so long,” she continues. “It’s even more of an honor.”

According to a press release from H&M — which is serving as a sponsor at Essence‘s awards ceremony — the new Studio collection will be available to shop beginning on March 6.