Rumor has it that Taraji P. Henson and Oprah Winfrey butted heads amid filming The Color Purple, but the media mogul says it’s all false.
Taraji P. Henson and Danielle Brooks Talks Treatment During The Color Purple Filming
Taraji has been refreshingly honest about her time working with Oprah Winfrey. The latter served as an executive producer of the film The Color Purple. The Empire star praised the Oprah Winfrey Network founder via an Instagram post, claiming she was provided support and encouragement.
In a recent interview with The New York Times, Taraji explained that filming was not a bed of roses. In her words:
“They gave us rental cars, and I was like, ‘I can’t drive myself to set in Atlanta.’ This is insurance liability, it’s dangerous…It’s stuff like that, stuff I shouldn’t have to fight for. I was on the set of Empire fighting for trailers that wasn’t infested with bugs. It wears on your soul because you fight so hard to establish a name for yourself and be respected in this town to no avail.”
Brooks shared the exact sentiment of unfair treatment while speaking to The Hollywood Reporter. She explained that they did not have private dressing rooms. However, once Taraji knew what was happening, she beckoned Oprah to have it fixed.
“We didn’t have our own dressing rooms at the time. We didn’t have our own food…[Oprah] corrected it for us. [Taraji] was our voice.”
Is There A Possible Taraji and Oprah Feud?
The Color Purple was a film with remarkable actors, including Taraji, Brooks, and Fantasia Barrino. However, some sources speculate that executive producer Oprah Winfrey might have made it to the bad books of Taraji P. Henson.
However, during the Golden Globes, the OWN creator chimed in:
“I would just like to say about this whole Taraji thing, People are saying that I was not supporting Taraji. Taraji will tell you herself that I’ve been the greatest champion of this film.”
Per Entertainment Tonight, Oprah maintained that she was up and doing regarding people’s needs. However, her hands were tied regarding the budget because Warner Bros. was fully in charge. In her defense:
“I’m not in charge of the budget because that’s Warner Brothers you know that’s the way the studio system works.”
Taraji P. Henson is yet to step in with any words confirming Oprah Winfrey’s revelation. However, it is on record that the last thing she said about Oprah were words of appreciation for her contributions while filling The Color Purple.
