The Academy Awards Red Carpet: The Women

Jennifer Hudson passed and smiled warmly at the fans calling her name from the bleachers. Gwyneth Paltrow tilted her head and offered a regal wave. Will Smith dashed over the velvet rope to sign autographs for his admirers.

"This is why the wait is all worth while," said Kyle Wilson, the 45-year-old woman from San Diego whom I'd spent the previous eight hours with on a hard wooden bench, waiting for the stars to arrive at the Kodak Theatre for this year's Academy Awards.

For most people -- the celebrities entering the theater, the reporters and photographers who would stalk them through the night and the viewers at home -- the evening was just beginning.

Tons more photos of the women from the Academy Awards red carpet after the jump.

(Photo hint: to view the larger images in a new window or tab, right click the thumbnail, and choose open in new window or tab from the contextual menu.)

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