Taraji P. Henson sizzles in strapless black leather dress at Fox Upfronts in NYC after network cancels Empire
Her Fox TV show Empire has just been canceled with its upcoming sixth season to be its last.
But hours after the news was announced, Taraji P. Henson put on a brave face as she arrived at the Fox Upfront Presentation in New York City Monday.
The series star looked sensational in a strapless black leather dress with a sash at the waist.
Grace under fire: Taraji P. Henson put on a brave face as she arrived at the Fox Upfront Presentation in NY Monday hours after the network announced her show Empire was canceled
Henson, 48, paired the ankle-length number with black heels and wore her hair back from her face in a high pony tail.
She accessorized with dramatic gold hoop earrings and splashed dark red color across her lips.
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Since 2016, Henson has starred on Empire as Cookie Lyon, the formidable ex-wife of hip-hop mogul Luscious Lyon, played by Terrence Howard.
The couple have three equally ambitious and scheming sons played by Bryshere Y. Gray, Trai Byers and Jussie Smollett.
The show's plot revolves around Luscious as he decides which of his three sons will control his multi-million dollar company.
Sizzling: The actress, 48, looked sensational in a strapless black leather dress with a sash at the waist and a pair of black heels
Coordinated look: The actress wore her hair back from her face in a high pony tail. She accessorized with dramatic gold hoop earrings and splashed dark red color across her lips
Look luscious in leather like Taraji in a Nanushka dress
Taraji stepped out in style recently wearing a envy-inducing strapless vegan leather dress, and we loved this look on her!
The tie waist accentuated her figure perfectly, while the strapless feature balanced out the longer length of the piece, allowing the actress to look polished but not too covered. Honestly, that's the way to do it with this unpredictable spring weather!
This flattering dress would look flawless on anyone because of the A-line silhouette. Why not try it for yourself? Just click (right) to cop this dress Nanushka beaut, or peruse below to find similar leather styles for your next dress-up affair.
Canceled: Fox executives confirmed Monday that Empire will end after its upcoming sixth season slated to premiere in the fall
The final episodes of the show's fifth season were overshadowed by controversy following Smollett's claim of being the victim of a homophobic and racist assault in Chicago in January and his subsequent arrest in February accused of orchestrating the incident himself.
The openly gay actor was indicted on 16 felony counts and was dropped from the remaining season five episodes of Empire.
The charges were subsequently dropped in March but the city of Chicago is currently suing Smollett to recover the $130,000 cost of the police investigation.
Last month, Fox announced it had picked up Smollett's option for season six but with no plan to have him return to the show.
Fox Entertainment CEO Charlie Collier confirmed Monday that right now the actor won't be coming back.
'We are turning the final season into a large TV event, we are trying to go out guns a blazing,' Collier said on a media call, according to Deadline.com.
Hit series: Since 2016, Henson has starred on Empire as Cookie Lyon, the formidable ex-wife of hip-hop mogul Luscious Lyon, played by Terrence Howard
Smollett's final appearance on the show aired last month, in which his character married his boyfriend Kai, played by Toby Onwumere.
It was the first gay, black wedding shown on prime time television.
Additionally, the two brothers who were implicated as the perpetrators of the alleged crime also filed suit against Smollett's attorneys for defamation.
Several Empire stars including Henson and Howard have campaigned for Smollett's return to the show, according to TMZ.
The outlet reported, 'as soon as the announcement was made, Jussie's costars got busy contacting Empire brass and pushing for his return'.
Drama: The show's plot revolves around Luscious as he decides which of his sons - played by Bryshere Y. Gray, Trai Byers and Jussie Smollett - will control his multi-million dollar company
Overshadowed season five: Last month, Fox announced it had picked up scandal-plagued Smollett's option for season six but with no plan to have him return to the show
