Audio By Carbonatix
Taraji P. Henson rebukes any rumours of a behind-the-scenes beef with Oprah Winfrey over The Color Purple.
On December 12, the film's cast and crew, including Henson, Winfrey, Danielle Brooks, Fantasia Barrino, and director Blitz Bazawule were in New York City to light the Empire State Building purple.
On Thursday, Henson went to Instagram with a candid photo taken with Winfrey during the event, also sharing a statement that refuted any allegations of the two having a rift.
"It is so important for black women and ALL women of colour to support each other," Henson began the caption. "It is also imperative to have women of colour in decision-making positions across ALL industries."

Thanking fans for supporting her message about being unvalued as a Black actress with "compassion, understanding and support," Henson went on to directly thank Winfrey.
"Ms. OPRAH has been nothing less than a steady and solid beacon of light to ALL OF THE CAST of The Color Purple!!!" Henson continued. "She has provided ENCOURAGEMENT, GUIDANCE and UNWAVERING SUPPORT to us all."
Henson added, "She told me personally to reach out to her for ANYTHING I needed, and I did! It took ONE CALL… ONE CONVERSATION… and ONE DECISION MAKING BLACK WOMAN to make me feel heard."
@mickmicknyc Oprah Winfrey and The Color Purple stars at the @Empire State Building #oprahwinfrey #esb #empirestatebuilding #oprah #winfrey #thecolorpurple #purple #nyc #newyork ♬ original sound - New York Mickey
Although Henson, who plays Shug Avery in the musical film adaptation of The Color Purple, didn't specify the conversation that was had with Winfrey, it may have to do with producers originally wanting Beyoncé or Rihanna to play the character.
"To be completely honest about it, if you were doing this film for $30 or $40 million, the interest in the cast would be very different," Winfrey told The Hollywood Reporter.
"Once the film moved to $90 to $100 million, then everybody wants us to bring Beyoncé. 'Can you get Beyoncé or can you get Rihanna?' So we're sitting in a room saying, 'Listen, we love Beyoncé. We love Rihanna, but there are other actors who can do this job.'"
Henson's has been more forthcoming with her grievances with Hollywood's treatment of Black women, namely, being overworked for low pay and not receiving commercial endorsements for playing Cookie Lyon on the former musical drama Empire.
OH SHE’S DONE PLAYING WITH YALLL pic.twitter.com/S0vGpDFAUj
— Welington (@WelingtonOnAir) December 20, 2023
Latest Stories
-
12 in critical condition in accident involving 3 cars at Gomoa Amenfi
2 hours -
Fake soldier remanded over GH¢192,000 fraud
3 hours -
NPP: It’s completely premature to be jostling for running mate at this time – Abu Jinapor
3 hours -
Lands Minister inspects 320 reclaimed hectares at Manso Nyankomanse, pledges 2026 land drive
3 hours -
Bawumia has strong control over NPP after primaries victory – Abu Jinapor
3 hours -
Ejisu MP vows to unite constituency behind NPP flagbearer for 2028 victory
3 hours -
King Tackie Tawiah deserves airport naming – Ga Mantse’s protocol chief
4 hours -
ECG reaffirms cash waterfall commitment as AKSA nears 205MW Anwomaso plant completion
4 hours -
KIA renaming should be done in consultation with Regional House of Chiefs – Gov’t urged
4 hours -
We need a single African currency to enable seamless trade – Pearl Nkrumah
5 hours -
Prisons Council engages Interior Minister on service development and operational challenges
5 hours -
Local gold refining takes off as GoldBod, Gold Coast Refinery roll out new partnership
5 hours -
Ghana’s presidency regains prestige under Mahama – Okudzeto Ablakwa
5 hours -
Gunmen reportedly kill dozens in Nigeria as US military deployment confirmed
5 hours -
Man sentenced to life in prison for 2024 attempt on Trump’s life
5 hours
