Home • Red Carpet A Night Celebrating Cookie Johnson A Night Celebrating Cookie Johnson By Essence · Updated October 29, 2020 01 Queen Regina Actress Regina King arrives, rocking her thigh-highs boots. 02 Strike a Pose Vanessa Bell Calloway shows off her CJ by Cookie Johnson jeans as she arrives to the party with her husband, Tony. 03 Still Unforgettable Natalie Cole arrives at Cookie Johnson’s surprise birthday party. 04 Samuel L. and the Mrs. Samuel L. Jackson and his wife, LaTanya Richardson, came through to celebrate with Cookie. 05 Coupled Up Michael Strahan and Nicole Murphy pose for the camera before making their way to the dance floor. 06 Music Man and his Lady Super-producer Jimmy Jam arrives with his wife, Lisa. 07 Funny Man Comedian Bill Bellamy arrives to the party with his wife, Kristen. 08 The Whitfields Salli Richardson-Whitfield and Dondre Whitfield arrive at Cookie Johnson’s surprise party. 09 Honored Guest Cookie and Magic take a break from the dance floor to pose with actor Lammon Rucker. 10 Lady Tee Teena starts off strong with “I Need Your Lovin’.” 11 Lover Girl Teena Marie blesses the crowd with “Lovergirl,” before sharing the mic with Johnny Gill for “Fire & Desire.” 12 It’s in the Genes Teena Marie’s nephew, Michael Wilson, serenades Cookie Johnson. Auntie Teena taught him well. 13 Smooth Balladeer Jeffrey Osborne, sounding as smooth as ever. 14 Sing-Along Osborne made sure to bless the crowd with “You Should be Mine.” Magic even joined in on the chorus, “Can you woo, woo, woo?” 15 If This World Were Mine Cheryl Lynn is joined by her background singer for “If This World Were Mine.” 16 Hand-in-Hand Cookie & Magic embrace for a slow dance. 17 Get on the Floor… Cookie and Magic on the dance floor…her shoes were off by the end of the night. 18 Money, Money, Money Eddie Levert performs solo, but does the O’Jays justice with “For the Love of Money.” 19 Love Train Levert grooves as he sings the O’Jays’ classic, “Love Train.” 20 Uncle Charlie Charlie Wilson performs The Gap Band classic, “Burn Rubber.” 21 Sentimental Charlie Wilson sings the classic ballad, “Yearning For Your Love.” 22 Frankie B. and Maze Frankie Beverly and Maze kick off their nine-song set with “Laid Back Girl.” 23 Just For You Frankie Beverly serenades a smiling Cookie Johnson. 24 Party On Holly and her husband, Rodney, pose alongside Boris Kodjoe and Eriq LaSalle. 25 Power Couples Cookie & Magic pose alongside Regina King & Malcolm-Jamal Warner. 26 Holly & Pete & Salli & Dondre The Peetes and the Whitfields enjoy the festivities. 27 Ladies Night Out Cookie poses alongside party guests Marvet Britto, Kim Porter and friend. 28 Birthday Love Cookie gets a birthday hug from Natalie Cole. 29 In the House Sheryl Lee Ralph smiles for the camera at Cookie’s surprise party. 30 Fun Was Had by All Sheryl Lee Ralph, Teena Marie and Vanessa Williams pose alongside Smokey Robinson and his wife, Frances. 31 Let Them Eat Cake Cookie and Magic show off her strawberry-laden cake.