Oprah says that there is no bad blood between her and The Color Purple actress Taraji P. Henson, who has over the last few weeks shared her poor experiences with things like pay and on-set accommodations on the film, as well as other projects.
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Winfrey addressed online speculation over Henson’s treatment on the film after the award-winning actress opened up about her pay equity struggles while on The Color Purple press tour. Winfrey, who is a producer on the film and appeared in the original 1985 non-musical version directed by Steven Spielberg, told the outlet she “heard I was trending yesterday” after more comments from Henson, this time in the New York Times about transportation to set and trailers while filming the movie.
“People are saying that I was not supporting Taraji. Taraji will tell you herself that I’ve been the greatest champion of this film. Championing not only the behind the scenes projection but also everything that everybody needed,” Winfrey said. “I’m not in charge of the budget because that’s Warner Bros., you know. That’s the way the studio system works.”
She continued: “We as producers, everybody gets their salary … negotiated by your team. And so, whenever I heard there was an issue or there was a problem — there was a problem with cars or the problem with their food — I would step in and do whatever I could to make it right. And I believe that she would even vouch for that and say that is true.”
In an interview that published last Friday, Henson — who plays Shug Avery in the Blitz Bazawule-directed movie musical — revealed she had “fought” and secured a number of things for herself and her fellow Black female co-stars during filming.
“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. Now they robbing people. What do I look…
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