Kerry Washington dons Whitney Houston’s 1996 red halter dress to American Black Film Festival Honors

On Sunday night, Scandal alum Kerry Washington had the opportunity to wear the same exact Marc Bouwer-designed dress that the late, great R&B belter Whitney Houston wore to perform at BET’s Walk of Fame awards gala way back in 1996.

‘What’s cooler than wearing Whitney Houston’s dress?’ the 46-year-old Emmy-winning producer – who boasts 19.6M social media followers – asked while lip-synching Whitney’s 1992 hit song I Have Nothing.

‘No lies told. Whitney Houston’s actual @marcbouwer dress she wore in 1996. So incredibly special. #ABFFAwards here I come!’

There was not an inch to pinch on Kerry, who showcased the curve-hugging cocktail creation featuring red velvet ruching and a halter neckline.

It was ‘image architect’ Law Roach, who borrowed the dress from the Marc Bouwer archives and paired it with a cherry red pump for Washington.

The late, great R&B belter Whitney Houston performing at BET's Walk of Fame awards gala way back in 1996 while wearing the same dress

Who wore it better? On Sunday night, Scandal alum Kerry Washington had the opportunity to wear the same exact Marc Bouwer-designed dress that the late, great R&B belter Whitney Houston wore to perform at BET’s Walk of Fame awards gala way back in 1996

The six-time Grammy winner tragically died, age 48, in 2012 from an accidental drowning as well as atherosclerotic heart disease, and she had five drugs in her system including cocaine.

During her nearly three-decade career, Whitney released seven albums, acted in five movies, and sold over 200M records worldwide.

Hairstylist Larry Sims coiffed the Bronx-born beauty’s natural shoulder-length waves for the 5th American Black Film Festival Honors: A Celebration of Excellence in Hollywood.

Make-up artist Carola Gonzalez opted to apply a nude lip on Kerry who wore cat-eye liner, lashes, and substantial blush for the ceremony held at 1 Hotel West Hollywood.

Washington – whose memoir Thicker Than Water drops September 26 – completed her retro attire with two large diamond rings and a glossy red manicure by nail artist Kim Truong.

The School for Good and Evil actress was there to receive the Excellence in the Arts Award alongside fellow honorees Nicole Friday, Lynn Whitfield, Janelle Monáe, Jeff Friday, and Kasi Lemmons.

Missing from Kerry’s side on Sunday was her husband of nine years – The Good Nurse actor Nnamdi Asomugha – and their three children.

‘I’m in my immediate truth with [Nnamdi],’ Washington confessed in her Marie Claire cover story on Thursday.

The 46-year-old Emmy-winning producer - who boasts 19.6M social media followers - asked while lip-synching Whitney's 1992 hit song I Have Nothing: 'What's cooler than wearing Whitney Houston's dress? No lies told. Whitney Houston's actual @marcbouwer dress she wore in 1996. So incredibly special. #ABFFAwards here I come!'

The 46-year-old Emmy-winning producer – who boasts 19.6M social media followers – asked while lip-synching Whitney’s 1992 hit song I Have Nothing: ‘What’s cooler than wearing Whitney Houston’s dress? No lies told. Whitney Houston’s actual @marcbouwer dress she wore in 1996. So incredibly special. #ABFFAwards here I come!’

I'm Your Baby Tonight! It was 'image architect' Law Roach, who borrowed the dress from the Marc Bouwer archives and paired it with a cherry red pump for Washington

I’m Your Baby Tonight! It was ‘image architect’ Law Roach, who borrowed the dress from the Marc Bouwer archives and paired it with a cherry red pump for Washington

I'm Saving All My Love for You! Hairstylist Larry Sims coiffed the Bronx-born beauty's natural shoulder-length waves for the 5th American Black Film Festival Honors: A Celebration of Excellence in Hollywood

I’m Saving All My Love for You! Hairstylist Larry Sims coiffed the Bronx-born beauty’s natural shoulder-length waves for the 5th American Black Film Festival Honors: A Celebration of Excellence in Hollywood

Red-y for her close-up! Make-up artist Carola Gonzalez opted to apply a nude lip on Kerry who wore cat-eye liner, lashes, and substantial blush for the ceremony held at 1 Hotel West Hollywood

Red-y for her close-up! Make-up artist Carola Gonzalez opted to apply a nude lip on Kerry who wore cat-eye liner, lashes, and substantial blush for the ceremony held at 1 Hotel West Hollywood

Glam: Washington - whose memoir Thicker Than Water drops September 26 - completed her retro attire with two large diamond rings and a glossy red manicure by nail artist Kim Truong

Glam: Washington – whose memoir Thicker Than Water drops September 26 – completed her retro attire with two large diamond rings and a glossy red manicure by nail artist Kim Truong

Young, gifted, and black! The School for Good and Evil actress was there to receive the Excellence in the Arts Award alongside fellow honorees (from L-R) Nicole Friday, Lynn Whitfield, Janelle Monáe, Kasi Lemmons, and Jeff Friday

Young, gifted, and black! The School for Good and Evil actress was there to receive the Excellence in the Arts Award alongside fellow honorees (from L-R) Nicole Friday, Lynn Whitfield, Janelle Monáe, Kasi Lemmons, and Jeff Friday

Hey, girl, hey! Kerry seemed especially thrilled to see Nicole and Lynn in the red carpet

Hey, girl, hey! Kerry seemed especially thrilled to see Nicole and Lynn in the red carpet

‘Those mirrors are important because they help me get back to myself.’

The Simpson Street founder is stepmother to the 41-year-old retired NFL star’s 17-year-old daughter, and they share eight-year-old daughter Isabelle Amarachi and six-year-old son Caleb Kelechi.

‘Part of their journey is to know not everybody’s going to hold your hand all the time,’ Kerry said of parenting.

‘I try to show up as the person they need to help them be the best versions of themselves.’

Washington has even developed ‘a really good capacity to love lizards, because my son has a lizard named Spiral. And I love Spiral more than I ever thought that I could love a reptile.’

The Prophecy producer-star will next play relationship therapist and single mom Paige Alexander opposite Delroy Lindo as her ex-con father Edwin Alexander in Tracy McMillan’s semi-autobiographical eight-episode comedy UnPrisoned, which premieres next Friday on Hulu.

Kerry and the 70-year-old Tony nominee also serve as executive producers on the project headed up by showrunner Yvette Lee Bowser, which also features actors Faly Rakotohavana and Jordyn McIntosh.



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