In response to the circulating rumours regarding a supposed feud between actress Taraji P Henson and Oprah Winfrey linked to their involvement in the film, The Color Purple, Taraji is determined to dispel any misconceptions. Addressing the speculation, Taraji clarified in an interview that there is no truth to the rumours. She emphasised Oprah’s active participation during the production, highlighting how Oprah was present on set, even engaging in activities like the electric slide. “I see what’s going on, but there’s nothing spinning there. You saw the woman doing the electric slide in the dust with us. She was right there in the field doing the electric slide,” she said.
Taraji expressed gratitude for Oprah’s consistent support, noting that the media mogul personally intervened to address any concern, demonstrating a hands-on approach uncommon among producers. “She held our hands the entire production. She showed up, she was there – there are producers that don’t show up on set,” Taraji told Today.com.
The rumours gained traction when Taraji disclosed her initial hesitation due to pay disparities. Still, she emphasised how Oprah’s personal involvement and swift resolution of the issue were pivotal in her decision to stay on the project. Taraji shared her admiration for Oprah’s commitment, underscoring the media’s focus on their alleged discord rather than the film’s essence.
“She called me personally. Not my team, not my people – me. And asked me, ‘Taraji, if there’s anything you need, you let me know.’ And I said it with a shaking voice, I was like, ‘Well, yeah,’ since she asked. And I told her and she fixed everything the next day,” Taraji added.
The actress adamantly rejects the idea of pitting two Black women against each other, emphasising the importance of redirecting attention to the film. She expressed concern that the ongoing narrative around the rumored feud overshadows the profound messages conveyed by The Color Purple.
“What you’re not gonna do is pit two Black women together. Not on my watch. I hope they can focus back onto this film, because right now, to me, it feels like what I said is now becoming louder than this beautiful film,” she continued.
“And that’s not fair to me, or anybody in the film, because the film deals with women who live in an oppressed system. Men and women. And all the characters in that film except for the white people. So that movie is about healing. That movie is about sisterhood,” Taraji explained.
Responding to the heightened chatter, Oprah affirmed her unwavering support for Taraji and the film during an interview on the Golden Globes red carpet on January 7. Oprah clarified her limited influence over budgetary matters, explaining that studio protocols dictated salary decisions. Despite this, Oprah talked about her dedication to addressing on-set issues promptly, ensuring a smooth production process.
Oprah Winfrey had previously acted in the 1985 remake of the film based on a 1982 novel of the same name by American author Alice Walker. While Taraji Henson is a major part of the 2023 remake of The Color Purple, Oprah is the producer in this.
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