Inside The Chi’s Season 8 Premiere Party In NYC – Essence
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 13: Lena Waithe attends a screening occasion for The Chi S8 at The Paradise Club at The Times Square Edition Hotel on May 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for Paramount+)
The Big Apple performed host to the farewell celebration for The Chi this week as forged members, creators, and longtime supporters gathered at The Paradise Club contained in the Times Square EDITION forward of the collection’ eighth and ultimate season. The Paramount+ occasion introduced collectively most of the faces who helped construct the Chicago-based drama into one in all tv’s longest-working portrayals of Black life over the previous a number of years.
Creator Lena Waithe attended alongside stars Jacob Latimore, Birgundi Baker, Luke JamesJason Weaver, Hannaha Hall, Michael V. Epps, and Shamon Brown Jr., whereas govt producers Jewel Coronel and Justin Hillian additionally joined the celebration. Actor and govt producer Common appeared in the course of the night as further friends from previous and current seasons reunited on the pink carpet earlier than heading inside for the festivities.
Throughout the evening, attendees mirrored on the present’s affect since its 2018 debut and the tales explored throughout eight seasons. Waithe later joined Bevy Smith for a stay dialog revisiting main moments from the collection, discussing its evolution and the viewers connection constructed over time. Guests additionally loved stay music and portrait periods photographed by Lenny Santiago.
The ultimate season of The Chi premieres May 22 on Paramount+, bringing the lengthy-working drama to a detailed after practically a decade on tv.
The creator and forged of ‘The Chi.’
Lena Waithe and Luke James
Luke James, Lenny S., and Jacob Latimore
Larry Owens and Lena Waithe
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 13: (LR) Larry Owens and Lena Waithe attend a screening occasion for The Chi S8 at The Paradise Club at The Times Square Edition Hotel on May 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for Paramount+)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 13: Cortez Smith (C) attends a screening occasion for The Chi S8 at The Paradise Club at The Times Square Edition Hotel on May 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for Paramount+)
Lena Waithe, Kyla Pratt, and Punkie Johnson
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 13: (LR) Lena Waithe, Kyla Pratt, and Punkie Johnson attend a screening occasion for The Chi S8 at The Paradise Club at The Times Square Edition Hotel on May 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for Paramount+)
Luke James, Michael V. Epps, Barton Fitzpatrick, Ahmad Ferguson, and Shamon Brown Jr.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 13: (LR) Luke James, Michael V. Epps, Barton Fitzpatrick, Amari Noelle Ferguson, and Shamon Brown Jr. attend a screening occasion for The Chi S8 at The Paradise Club at The Times Square Edition Hotel on May 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for Paramount+)
Lena Waithe and Bevy Smith converse onstage.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 13: (LR) Lena Waithe and Bevy Smith converse onstage throughout a screening occasion for The Chi S8 at The Paradise Club at The Times Square Edition Hotel on May 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for Paramount+)
Cortez Smith and Jason Weaver
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 13: (LR) Cortez Smith and Jason Weaver attend a screening occasion for The Chi S8 at The Paradise Club at The Times Square Edition Hotel on May 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for Paramount+)
Luke James, Yolanda Ross Jacob Latimore, Shamon Brown Jr., Lena Waithe, Birgundi Baker, Hannaha Hall, Michael V. Epps, and Jason Weaver
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 13: (LR) Luke James, Yolanda Ross Jacob Latimore, Shamon Brown Jr., Lena Waithe, Birgundi Baker, Hannaha Hall, Michael V. Epps, and Jason Weaver attend a screening occasion for The Chi S8 at The Paradise Club at The Times Square Edition Hotel on May 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for Paramount+)
Jacob Latimore and Birgundi Baker
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 13: (LR) Jacob Latimore and Birgundi Baker attend a screening occasion for The Chi S8 at The Paradise Club at The Times Square Edition Hotel on May 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for Paramount+)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 13: Birgundi Baker attends a screening occasion for The Chi S8 at The Paradise Club at The Times Square Edition Hotel on May 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for Paramount+)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 13: Zaria Imani Primer attends a screening occasion for The Chi S8 at The Paradise Club at The Times Square Edition Hotel on May 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for Paramount+)
Shamon Brown Jr., Yolonda Ross, Birgundi Baker, and Jacob Latimore
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 13: (LR) Shamon Brown Jr., Yolonda Ross, Birgundi Baker, and Jacob Latimore attend a screening occasion for The Chi S8 at The Paradise Club at The Times Square Edition Hotel on May 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for Paramount+)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 13: Kyla Pratt attends a screening occasion for The Chi S8 at The Paradise Club at The Times Square Edition Hotel on May 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for Paramount+)
