Taraji P. Henson supports Ryan Seacrest despite social media criticizing the actress for allegedly shading the talk show host during an interview at Sunday's Oscars.

The Truth

Seacrest was on hand at the star-studded event to interview guests on the red carpet and among those he interviewed was Henson. The pair was talking about Best Supporting Actress nominee Mary J. Blige when many misinterpreted Henson's comment and her gesture.

"The universe has a way of taking care of good people," Henson said with a smile and touched Seacrest's chin.

"Know what I mean?" she added, and Seacrest replied, "I agree."

The gesture and her comment had people falsely misconstruing that Henson was shading the E! News show host. Twitterverse blew up with criticisms against the Empire star. The assumption was backed up by the actress' reply to ABC's Wendi Mclendon-Covey after she left Seacrest. 

"I'm great now that I'm in your company," Henson said when Covey asked how she is doing.

However, the 47-year-old author of Around the Way Girl: A Memoir later clarified that she did not insult or shade Seacrest. Instead, she was trying to cheer him on and keep his spirits up. She said that her gesture was meant to "keep his chin up."

"It's an awkward position to be in. He's been cleared but anyone can say anything," Henson later clarified in an interview with People and added that she "absolutely" supports Seacrest.

The American Idol host also later sent some love to Henson in a tweet following the misunderstanding.

"Nothing but love for my friend @TherealTaraji. Thanks for hanging out with us on the #ERedCarpet! #Oscars," Seacrest tweeted.

The Diss

Before the clarification, many social media users accused Henson of shading Seacrest during her red carpet interview.

However, there were also those who did not think that the actress dissed Seacrest. Instead, they thought her gesture was a sign of support. One Twitter user said Henson did not throw shade at Seacrest. 

"I felt like it was the opposite," one Twitter user wrote.

Meanwhile, another pointed out that the interview ended with Seacrest and Henson hugging each other.

Seacrest attended the 2018 Oscars despite the scandal he is facing. Suzie Hardy, a former E! News stylist, accused the Live with Kelly and Ryan star of sexual harassment and abuse. He has since denied the allegations and an investigation into the lawsuit yielded insufficient evidence that can support Hardy's claims. Seacrest also accused Hardy of blackmail.

Tags: Ryan Seacrest taraji p henson Empire Mary J. Blige 2018 Oscars