The Most Powerful Women in Hollywood

Meet the women who make moves and sign million dollar deals.

Television's Innovator - In honor of women's history month, we take a look at some of the top female entertainers and executives in Hollywood.   If you watch TV on Thursday night, you're probably tuning into one or all of Shonda Rhimes's hit shows. The creator, writer and producer of Private Practice, Grey's Anatomy and Scandal keeps viewers on their toes with plenty of plot twists.   (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards)

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Television's Innovator - In honor of women's history month, we take a look at some of the top female entertainers and executives in Hollywood. If you watch TV on Thursday night, you're probably tuning into one or all of Shonda Rhimes's hit shows. The creator, writer and producer of Private Practice, Grey's Anatomy and Scandal keeps viewers on their toes with plenty of plot twists. (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards)

Mara Brock Akil - Mara Brock Akil was barely 30 years old when she pitched Girlfriends to the CW. The show was a massive hit and lead to the spin-off, The Game. Last year she wrote her first screenplay, a remake of Sparkle, starring the late Whitney Houston.   (Photo: Valerie Macon/Getty Images)

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Mara Brock Akil - Mara Brock Akil was barely 30 years old when she pitched Girlfriends to the CW. The show was a massive hit and lead to the spin-off, The Game. Last year she wrote her first screenplay, a remake of Sparkle, starring the late Whitney Houston. (Photo: Valerie Macon/Getty Images)

Lead Anchor - Soledad O'Brien isn't afraid to ask the hard-hitting questions or produce thought provoking documentaries like CNN's Black in America. Though she recently decided to leave the station's morning show, she plans to form a production company and produce more documentaries. (Photo: Jennifer Graylock/Getty Images for The Heart Truth)

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Lead Anchor - Soledad O'Brien isn't afraid to ask the hard-hitting questions or produce thought provoking documentaries like CNN's Black in America. Though she recently decided to leave the station's morning show, she plans to form a production company and produce more documentaries. (Photo: Jennifer Graylock/Getty Images for The Heart Truth)

Lady in Red - BET Networks Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Debra L. Lee wore a long, red gown. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)

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Head Executive in Charge - As the chair and CEO of BET Networks, Debra Lee's 30-year career at the station has given artists of color a welcome outlet via award shows, scripted programs and documentaries. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)

The Icon - Oprah Winfrey, the former queen of daytime, made history in May 2011 by ending her TV talk fest to start a cable channel, OWN. The initial ratings for OWN were lower than almost anyone expected, but in true Oprah fashion, she turned that around and her budding network is steadily showing growth.   (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

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The Icon - Oprah Winfrey, the former queen of daytime, made history in May 2011 by ending her TV talk fest to start a cable channel, OWN. The initial ratings for OWN were lower than almost anyone expected, but in true Oprah fashion, she turned that around and her budding network is steadily showing growth. (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

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All Hail the Queen - With more than 20 years in the industry, Queen Latifah has crafted a career most people would die for. She effortlessly made the move from rapper to sitcom actress to movie star to producer. Her production company, Flavor Unit Entertainment, has produced flicks like Just Wright and Beauty Shop, and recently, the company signed an exclusive deal with Netflix. (Photo: Alexandra Wyman/Getty Images)

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Hit Maker - Beyoncé is a big deal on stage, but she knows it's off stage where the real deals happen. Her endorsements range from Nintendo DS to L'Oreal and most recently a $50 million deal with Pepsi. (Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NARAS)

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Hollywood's Leading Lady - Kerry Washington has come a long way from her role in Save the Last Dance. As Scandal's Olivia Pope, she's the first Black actress in a lead primetime show in close to 40 years. (Photo: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards)

Photo By Photo: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards

Haute Mama - Jada Pinkett-Smith is striking in this fitted strapless black dress and stilettos backstage at the Marchesa Fall 2013 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the New York Public Library in New York City. (Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

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Pint-Sized Powerhouse - She has a famous husband and kids, but Jada Pinkett-Smith pulls her weight in the Smith household. She was one of the producers of the Broadway play Fela! and is also a producer on the Broadway to big screen flick Annie, which will star Quvenzhané Wallis. (Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

Tyra Banks - Not many celebs choose to hit the books rather than the red carpet, but some stars didn't have to sacrifice getting their college degrees for fame.   After putting her education on hold to pursue her modeling career after high school, Tyra Banks went back to school — at Harvard no less! — for a course in business management. She graduated in February 2012.(Photo: AP Photo/Courtesy of Carolyn London)

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Model Mogul - Tyra Banks gained fame and fortune as a model, but she wasn't comfortable with just being a pretty face. Last year the model/producer/talk show host earned a diploma from Harvard University's executive education program. (Photo: AP Photo/courtesy of Carolyn London)