Tyler Perry Studios: Beyoncé, Rep. Maxine Waters, Colin Kaepernick and dozens more celebrate instantly-iconic opening

Who needs the Academy Awards?

Saturday night's grand opening of Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta drew out more famous faces than we could possibly count, from A-list celebs to influential politicians to old-Hollywood royalty. Representing black excellence from across just about every industry, guests arrived onsite at Perry's massive 330-acre lot, which he purposefully built in one of Atlanta's poorest neighborhoods so that "kids can see a black man can do that and they can too," he said in a statement.

For many, it was a date night: Don Lemon had fiancé Tim Malone by his side, Colin Kaepernick brought longtime girlfriend Nessa, Oprah Winfrey was with Stedman Graham, and Beyonce arrived with Jay-Z.

For others, it was a much-needed break from the D.C. machine. Rep. Maxine Waters looked stunning in a black off-the-shoulder number while Stacey Abrams wore this ultra-flattering long-sleeved gown. It was also a homecoming of sorts for Rep. John Lewis, who represents much of Atlanta.

A handful of nonagenarians were even in attendance, including 94-year-old Cicely Tyson, who truly looked a fraction of her age on the red carpet. One of Perry's new sound stages is named after her; each one is named for a different influential black artist.

The remarkable studio was constructed atop what was once a Confederate army base during the Civil War. Underneath each of the twelve sound stages, he buried a Bible, and there is also one underneath the entrance: "I've buried a Bible at the gates of the studio, so you can't come in without crossing the Word and you can't leave without crossing the Word," he revealed.

See all the arrivals in the gallery above.

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