In a recent wave of speculation, Oprah Winfrey has taken to the airwaves to dispel rumors of a rift between her and actress Taraji P. Henson, who stars in the upcoming adaptation of The Color Purple.
The chatter began when social media users noticed Henson’s emotional response to the ongoing issue of pay inequality faced by Black women in Hollywood.
This sparked accusations that Winfrey, a prominent figure in the film’s production, was not supporting her co-star.
Henson had gone viral for expressing her frustrations about the disparities in pay and the struggle to secure transportation for cast members to the film set.
As the conversation heated up online, Winfrey found herself trending for all the wrong reasons.
During a recent gathering with Diversion, she addressed these unfounded claims head-on at the Golden Globes.
“I heard yesterday that I was trending,” Winfrey remarked.
She continued, “People were saying I wasn’t supporting Taraji.”
However, she quickly reassured fans that this couldn’t be further from the truth.
“Taraji herself will tell you that I have been the greatest supporter of this film,” she emphasized, highlighting her commitment to the project both on and off the screen.
Winfrey, who famously portrayed Sophia in the 1985 film adaptation of Alice Walker’s novel, insisted that she has always been there for the cast.
“Whenever I heard there was an issue with cars or concerns about food on set, I would step in and do whatever I could to make it right,” she shared with ET’s Kevin Fraser.
She clarified that while she plays a significant role in the production, the budget decisions ultimately fall under the purview of Warner Bros. “As producers, we negotiate everyone’s salary,” she explained, shedding light on the complexities of the studio system that often gets overlooked.
The former talk show host also tackled rumors stemming from a photo op with Henson at the Empire State Building.
Many interpreted their interaction as tense, but Winfrey attributed the awkwardness to the chilly weather that day, saying everyone was simply trying to stay warm.
