Da’Vine Joy Randolph Is Ready to Slay the Red Carpet This Awards Season: ‘I’m Doing Mood Boards’ (Exclusive)

Da’Vine Joy Randolph was born red carpet ready.

“I’m a fashion girl,” the Golden Globe nominee tells PEOPLE. “I love details. For every red carpet, I create mood boards, pull out references for hair, nails, make-up, different samples for the wardrobe.”

The 37-year-old Pennsylvania native has had plenty of opportunities to express her fashion sense recently. For her critically acclaimed supporting performance in The HoldoversRandolph has appeared on dozens of awards shortlists—and on the carpet for every industry event in town.

At the Nov. 27 Gotham Awards, where Randolph kicked off the season with her first of many supporting actress honors, she wore a dramatic navy blue velvet gown.

Da’Vine Joy Randolph at the Gotham Awards on November 27, 2023.

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While she earned buzz for her Tony-nominated Broadway debut in the 2012 musical adaptation of The ghost and her big screen breakthrough opposite Eddie Murphy in 2019 Dolemite is my nameattention is given for her work as school cook Mary Lamb in The Holdovers it’s more “overwhelming”, she admits.

But if anyone is ready for that spotlight, it’s Randolph. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity and potential love,” she says of this moment in her career. “And I’m very excited that if that happens, I’ll be able to wear beautiful dresses,” she adds with a laugh.

Nowhere was that philosophy more evident than at the Critics Choice Association of Motion Picture and Television’s Dec. 4 celebration honoring black, Hispanic and AAPI achievement. Randolph added another supporting actress award to her mantle, accepting it in a long-sleeved yellow dress covered in frills.

The award was presented to her by legendary Hollywood costume designer Ruth E. Carter. Randolph “was very fortunate” to work with Black panther Oscar winner on set Dolemite is my name.

Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Ruth E. Carter at the Critics Choice Cinema and Television Association: Honoring Black, Hispanic and AAPI Achievement on December 4, 2023.

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“I love that lady so much — she’s the real deal,” Randolph tells PEOPLE. “I love that, no matter what project I’m on – because I’m spoiled by her – every costume designer knows we have to talk to Ruth.”

She continues: “I’ll say, ‘Ruth, so this is the part I’m playing. I mean this. What do you think? Can I tell them to call you please so we can all be on the same page?’ She went above and beyond even after that production to be so supportive.”

Carter’s prowess in the world of costumes also meant that the production teams contacted her first before working with Randolph on her character’s look. “I’ve done jobs where they said, ‘We called Ruth because we wanted to make it right.'”

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For The Holdovers“I wanted all of her clothes to be neat and well-thought out and lived in,” Randolph says of the “always dressed up” Mary, who “takes pride in her appearance.”

“I wanted people to think of their aunt, their grandmother, their mother,” she says of the character’s 1970s velvet and pastel colors. “Getting me into that period helped me really fall in love with her.”

Off screen, the actress uses her Instagram account to showcase her own sets. At the Academy Awards Gala on December 3 at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, she made a bold fashion statement in a black evening gown with a long train, silver embellishments and accessories, and a feathered metallic scarf.

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Directed by Alexander Payne and written by David Hemingson, The Holdovers follows a professor (played by Paul Giamatti) in charge of students staying over the holidays at a fictional New England boarding school in 1970.

Randolph says she’s grateful for this moment in her career and ready for whatever the universe may bring her next. “Every time I think I’m in control and try to do something, it doesn’t work out,” she admits. “My resume doesn’t have anything I asked for.”

Moving forward, she says, “I’m just without an arm. Now I’m like, ‘Okay, let’s go. Wherever you see me next.’”

The Holdovers is now in theaters and airing on Peacock.

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Source: HIS Education