Marcell Johnson, son of Taraji P. Henson and her high school boyfriend, William Lamar Johnson, joined his mother when she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood. He was born on May 10, 1994.
Taraji P. Henson and her son Marcell Johnson attend a ceremony honoring Taraji P. Henson with a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame on January 28, 2019, in Hollywood, California
Also an actor, he plays one of Hakeem Lyon’s friends on Empire, the American musical drama television series that made his mother famous as Loretha “Cookie” Lyon, née Holloway. He’s also known for his work on Little (2019), Misled (2015), and Needlestick (2017).
Marcell’s father, the late William LaMarr “Mark” Johnson, started dating Johnson while still a teenager. “I had my one bad boy,” Taraji said of her high-school sweetheart in an interview. “That was my son’s father, my first love, and he’s not with us, God rest his soul.”
Taraji was pregnant while in college at Howard University and carried her son when she went up the stage on graduation day. When Marcell was nine, William LaMarr “Mark” Johnson was stabbed to death after a confrontation over slashed tires.
In 2015, the Los Angeles Times reported that Marcell was stopped by police after driving through a lighted crosswalk while a pedestrian was crossing. The police found hash oil, marijuana, and a grinder in his vehicle.
Marcell Johnson is the son of Taraji P. Henson and her high-school sweetheart William LaMarr Johnson
“His dad was murdered when Marcell was 9,” Taraji told Star Magazine about her son. “He’s had to deal with life in a way that a lot of young kids haven’t yet.” And although she and Johnson were no longer together when he was killed, “we would sit and weep about it,” Taraji added.
“Do I mourn for him? Absolutely. I wish my son had his dad. But sometimes things line up and they have to happen and we don’t know why.”
Also joined by her fiancé Kelvin Hayden, Taraji donned a Techno grid trench coat with a silk crêpe boat neck top and asymmetric chiffon skirt with front plissé from Akris’ Spring 2019 collection. She completed her look with black ankle-strap sandals.
Taraji P Henson and former American football cornerback Kelvin Hayden have been engaged since May 2018
In November 2015, Taraji P. Henson was honored with the Influencers award alongside her “Empire” costume designer Paolo Nieddu at the 18th Annual Accessories Council ACE Awards.
The then 45-year-old “Empire” actress proved she still has it in a sexy black Alexander Wang dress that showed off her cleavage.
Taraji P. Henson wears her curly hair down at the 18th Annual Accessories Council ACE Awards at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on November 2, 2015
The strapless Spring 2016 piece featured a split-waist strap detail and a full skirt.
Taraji P. Henson smiles on the red carpet in an Alexander Wang dress
Since the event was all about accessories, Taraji, of course, wore a few that amped up her entire look.
She styled the black frock with Lorraine Schwartz jewelry, including a black diamond spiral cuff, a statement ring, and a pair of drop earrings.
Taraji P. Henson carries an Alexander Wang “Chastity” clutch
She carried the “Chastity” clutch and slipped on a pair of the popular “Antonia” sandals, both also from Alexander Wang.
Taraji P. Henson playfully poses on the red carpet in an Alexander Wang ensemble
She completed her look with curly hairstyle and pale makeup that featured shimmering eye shadow and pink lipstick.
Taraji P. Henson’s feet in Alexander Wang sandals
These Alexander Wang sandals are popular among celebrities, such as Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, and Reese Witherspoon.
Taraji P. Henson’s feet in “Antonia” sandals
Taraji’s version is made of leather. These 3.5-inch open-toed heels feature buckled wrap-around ankle straps and front toe bands with a topstitched raised detail.
You can get them in a variety of versions at Shopbop, Farfetch, and Nordstrom.
Alexander Wang Antonia Ankle-Strap Sandals, $475–$495
Credit: Ivan Nikolov / WENN / Nicky Nelson