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Home • Celebrity

Eye Candy Flashback: Unforgettably Sexy ESSENCE Fest Moments

As we prepare to celebrate 20 years of ESSENCE Fest with 20 action-packed stages, we can't help but reminisce about all of the red-hot moments we've already shared with you in New Orleans. (And we're not talking about the weather!) Let's review!
By Charli Penn · Updated October 27, 2020
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01
Sing For Me

ESSENCE Festival regular, and total hearthrob Trey Songz loves to perform shirtless, as seen here during his steamy 2012 main stage performance. #wow

Eye Candy Flashback: Unforgettably Sexy ESSENCE Fest Moments
Getty Images
02
New Orleans’ Finest

Say hello to the 1st runner up in the 2012 ESSENCE Music Festival Eye Candy Pageant, model Darryl Chambers.

Eye Candy Flashback: Unforgettably Sexy ESSENCE Fest Moments
Michael Rowe
03
We Crowned A King

Meet the winner of the 2012 ESSENCE Music Festival Eye Candy Pageant. Hello, gorgeous!

Eye Candy Flashback: Unforgettably Sexy ESSENCE Fest Moments
Michael Rowe
04
Yummy!

Meet the second runner up in the 2012 ESSENCE Music Festival Eye Candy Pageant. Remember him? Yummy!

Eye Candy Flashback: Unforgettably Sexy ESSENCE Fest Moments
Michael Rowe
05
Hey Laz!

Actor Laz Alonso strikes a pose at ESSENCE Music Festival 2012.

Eye Candy Flashback: Unforgettably Sexy ESSENCE Fest Moments
Hannan Salen
06
Breathless

The 2012 ESSENCE Festival Eye Candy Pageant finalists had us gasping for air with this group shot.

Eye Candy Flashback: Unforgettably Sexy ESSENCE Fest Moments
Michael Rowe Photo
07
Oh Baby!

Ladies in the audience swooned as Trey Songz sang his heart out at the Superdome in New Orleans during the 2010 ESSENCE Music Festival. (And he proved he could keep his shirt on and get the ladies just as excited to see him.)

Eye Candy Flashback: Unforgettably Sexy ESSENCE Fest Moments
08
Tank Center Stage

Tank kicked off the Saturday lineup at the ESSENCE Music Festival in New Orleans in 2012 in style.

Eye Candy Flashback: Unforgettably Sexy ESSENCE Fest Moments
Michael Rowe
09
3 Kings

Tyrese, Ginuwine and Tank of TGT brought three times the sexy for their Sunday night main stage performance at the 2013 ESSENCE Festival.

Eye Candy Flashback: Unforgettably Sexy ESSENCE Fest Moments
Erika Goldring/Getty Images
10
It’s A Reunion!

New Edition brought that old school sexiness back to the forefront on Day 3 of the ESSENCE Music Festival in 2011 and we couldn’t get enough.

Eye Candy Flashback: Unforgettably Sexy ESSENCE Fest Moments
11
Suited Up
Trey Songz
Eye Candy Flashback: Unforgettably Sexy ESSENCE Fest Moments
12
More, Please!

Ladies, is there ever such a thing as too much Trey? Take a look at the time Trey Songz heated up the stage on Day 3 of the ESSENCE Music Festival in New Orleans in 2011.

Eye Candy Flashback: Unforgettably Sexy ESSENCE Fest Moments
13
Sang It

Soul brother Kem kicked off Day 3 of the ESSENCE Music Festival in New Orleans in 2011 with a steamy performance.

Eye Candy Flashback: Unforgettably Sexy ESSENCE Fest Moments
Lenyon Whitaker
14
El DeBarge Returned to the Stage

El Debarge graced the main stage at ESSENCE Music Festival superdome in 2011. We have one word for his comeback performance: Fire!

Eye Candy Flashback: Unforgettably Sexy ESSENCE Fest Moments
15
Yesus!

Kanye West gave an unforgettable red-hot performance on the main stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.

Eye Candy Flashback: Unforgettably Sexy ESSENCE Fest Moments
16
Eric Benet Kept It Smooth and Sexy

Eric Benet brough his smooth and sexy swag to the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival in New Orleans. My, my, my!

Eye Candy Flashback: Unforgettably Sexy ESSENCE Fest Moments
17
Love In Bloom

Who could forget Timothy Bloom’s steamy performance at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival? We sure can’t!

Eye Candy Flashback: Unforgettably Sexy ESSENCE Fest Moments
18
Miguel Makes Us Sweat

Miguel heated things up on the Superlounge stage singing his sultry R&B hits in 2011. We were right there groovin’ to the melodies too.

Eye Candy Flashback: Unforgettably Sexy ESSENCE Fest Moments
19
Good Kisser

“Good Kisser” Usher delivered an hour and a half of number ones during his second EMF performance on July 3, 2011. He also paid tribute to the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Our eyes were glued to the stage.

Eye Candy Flashback: Unforgettably Sexy ESSENCE Fest Moments
20
So Dreamy

Trey Songz on the main stage at the Superdome on Sunday night in 2010.

Eye Candy Flashback: Unforgettably Sexy ESSENCE Fest Moments
Jennifer Cooper
21
Swoon Time!

In 2010, heartthrob LL Cool J brought roses for all the ladies, and they swooned!

Eye Candy Flashback: Unforgettably Sexy ESSENCE Fest Moments
22
Raphael Saadiq
Raphael Saadiq performed at ESSENCE Festival in 2009 and 2010.
Eye Candy Flashback: Unforgettably Sexy ESSENCE Fest Moments
23
Mesmerized By Boris

Boris Kodjoe flaunted his handsome smile on the ESSENCE.com Live Stage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.

Eye Candy Flashback: Unforgettably Sexy ESSENCE Fest Moments
24
Check One, Check Two

Nick Canon on the ones and twos at the Visa booth at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.

Eye Candy Flashback: Unforgettably Sexy ESSENCE Fest Moments
25
Speak Up!

Usher speaks backstage at the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival.

Eye Candy Flashback: Unforgettably Sexy ESSENCE Fest Moments
TOPICS:  Eye Candy