If a Hollywood A-lister shades the hell out of a red carpet host accused of harassment, but then denies having cast a shadow, was there ever really shade at all?

Taraji P. Henson set fire to Twitter Sunday night (March 4) when she appeared to tear Ryan Seacrest to shreds with a seemingly passive aggressive comment on the Academy Awards Red Carpet  (“The universe has a way of taking care of taking care of good people...You know what I mean?” she said as she gently caressed Seacrest's chin). But a day later, Henson tells People there was no malice behind her words, and that the gesture was actually meant to register as supportive.

“I did it to keep his chin up. It’s an awkward position to be in. He’s been cleared but anyone can say anything,” she said.

Seacrest was first accused of misconduct in November 2017 by Suzie Hardy, who said he groped her repeatedly while working with him at E! from 2007 to 2013. E! launched an internal investigation and said it found no evidence to substantiate Hardy's claims, and while Seacrest was cleared to host the Oscars Red Carpet for the network, some stars stayed away from him.

"I’m distraught that anyone or any situation would call that into question. I’m proud of my workplace reputation, and believe my track record will speak for itself. I’m an advocate for women. I will continue to support their voices," he told The Hollywood Reporter.

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