Taraji P. Henson dons Jenny Packham dress in NYC... after commenting on Jussie Smollett scandal By Cassie Carpenter For Dailymail.com Published: 23:37 GMT, 17 March 2019 | Updated: 00:16 GMT, 18 March 2019 1 Viewcomments Taraji P. Henson donned a chic black Jenny Packham dress while promoting her new film The Best of Enemies at the Whitby Hotel in Manhattan on Sunday. The 48-year-old Oscar nominee commented on her onscreen Empire son Jussie Smollett, who pleaded not guilty Thursday to 16 felony counts of disorderly conduct for allegedly staging a hate crime on himself January 29. When asked directly by https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qsoeNFu9hU on Sunday about the troubled 36-year-old's scandal and his character Jamal Lyon being written off, Taraji stated: 'We're strong. I'm strong. And that's all I can say.' Sheer button-up: Taraji P. Henson donned a chic black Jenny Packham dress while promoting her new film The Best of Enemies at the Whitby Hotel in Manhattan on Sunday It was a much colder response than Henson gave the https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9vjjBQAhKs show on February 4 when she said of Smollett: 'Jussie is love, that's who he is. That's all he knows...I just told him to walk in his truth.' Last Wednesday's episode of the Fox soap opera - titled 'My Fault Is Past' - only drew 4.4M total viewers, which was down 13 percent, according to TheWrap. For Sunday's photo call, the What Men Want actress looked sophisticated in a Jenny Packham 'Myrna' SS/19 tulle collared gown with crystal embellished motifs selected by stylist Jason Bolden. Hairstylist Tymothe Wallace gave the Washington, D.C.-born bride-to-be a sleek middle-parted bob. Facing three years in prison: The 48-year-old Oscar nominee commented on her onscreen Empire son Jussie Smollett (M), who pleaded not guilty Thursday to 16 felony counts of disorderly conduct for allegedly staging a hate crime on himself January 29 When asked by Fox 32 Chicago on Sunday about the troubled 36-year-old's scandal and his character Jamal Lyon being written off, Taraji stated: 'We're strong. I'm strong. And that's all I can say' It was a much colder response than Henson gave Today on February 4 when she said of Smollett: 'Jussie is love, that's who he is. That's all he knows...I just told him to walk in his truth' 'My Fault Is Past': Last Wednesday's episode of the Fox soap opera only drew 4.4M total viewers, which was down 13 percent And make-up artist Ashunta Sheriff brought out Taraji's brown eyes with long lashes. Henson finished off her all-black attire with matching gold-heeled suede booties. The Howard University grad next plays North Carolina civil rights activist Ann Atwater in the 1971-set school integration drama The Best of Enemies, which hits US theaters April 5. Photo call: The What Men Want actress looked sophisticated in a Jenny Packham 'Myrna' SS/19 tulle collared gown with crystal embellished motifs selected by stylist Jason Bolden Golden touch: Hairstylist Tymothe Wallace gave the Washington, D.C.-born bride-to-be a sleek middle-parted bob Flutter: Make-up artist Ashunta Sheriff brought out Taraji's brown eyes with long lashes Booted: Henson finished off her all-black attire with matching gold-heeled suede booties The Golden Globe winner was joined in New York by her suited co-star Sam Rockwell, who portrays the exalted Cyclops of the Ku Klux Klan, Claiborne Paul Ellis. Taraji and the 50-year-old Oscar winner also posed with the real-life subject of the film - Bill Riddick - as well as their director Robin Bissell. Missing from Henson's side Sunday were her former footballer fiancé Kelvin Hayden and her 24-year-old son Marcell Dikembe Johnson, whose father William was murdered in 2003. Hitting US theaters April 5! The Howard University grad next plays North Carolina civil rights activist Ann Atwater in the 1971-set school integration drama The Best of Enemies Castmates: The Golden Globe winner was joined in New York by her suited co-star Sam Rockwell (L), who portrays the exalted Cyclops of the Ku Klux Klan, Claiborne Paul Ellis Group shot: Taraji and the 50-year-old Oscar winner also posed with the real-life subject of the film - Bill Riddick (L) - as well as their director Robin Bissell (R) Read more: Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility